In January 2020, just before the Covid-19 outbreak, Mumbai Central resident Anil Nagre wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging immediate attention to the state of civic and state-run hospitals in the city. He specifically highlighted the deteriorating condition of B Y L Nair Hospital in Mumbai Central, citing a chronic shortage of beds, ICU facilities and essential medicines.

The PM’s Office had reportedly directed the state government to look into the matter. However, five years on, Nagre says little has changed. Recounting a recent ordeal involving his father’s hospitalisation, he called the experience disheartening. “We saw how the healthcare system nearly collapsed during Covid,” he said. “But it seems like the authorities have learned little from the crisis.”

MRI Machine Defunct Since 2023

A recent visit to Nair Hospital revealed that its lone MRI machine, installed in 2009, has been non-functional since late 2023. The machine was declared end-of-life in early 2023 after repeated helium refills failed to keep it running.

Patients in need of urgent MRIs are now being sent to Sion Hospital or to private diagnostic centres under BMC-approved rates. One relative of a trauma patient said they had no choice but to opt for a private centre nearby due to the patient’s critical condition. The lack of an in-house MRI facility has caused treatment delays and added financial burdens for many.

Although a new 3T MRI machine has been sanctioned in the BMC budget, its installation has been delayed due to procurement hurdles. The delay is also affecting clinical training for radiology students.

Overburdened and Under-Resourced

Nair Hospital is one of Mumbai’s largest civic-run tertiary care hospitals, with approximately 1,652 beds. It caters to patients from across Mumbai, including suburbs like Thane, Palghar and Bhiwandi, and even from rural Maharashtra. Around 30% of its patients come from outside the city for affordable treatment.

Despite its importance, the hospital continues to struggle with outdated infrastructure and frequent equipment failures. With high patient inflow, several wards, including general medicine, surgery, orthopaedics and obstetrics, routinely exceed their capacity. It’s not uncommon for two or more patients to be accommodated on stretchers or even on the floor.

Basic Amenities Still a Challenge

Patients’ relatives raised concerns about lack of basic amenities. “Water is only available on the ground and seventh floors. If your patient is admitted elsewhere, you have to keep climbing up and down,” said caregiver Wasim Ansari.

He also mentioned that fans inside some lifts don’t work. “Lighting is another issue,” added Sumit Patil, who was attending to a relative. “Some parts of the building are dimly lit or completely dark at night. It feels unsafe.”

Hospital Response

Hospital dean Dr Shailesh Mohite stated that instances of patients sharing beds or being accommodated on the floor are not frequent. “This happens only when there is a sudden rush,” he said. A treating doctor added, “We can’t send patients back. If needed, we accommodate them somehow.”

Regarding the MRI issue, Dr Mohite said the BMC’s central purchase department is responsible for procurement. “We have already raised the demand,” he said.

Thane: The Thane City Police have issued a traffic advisory given the upcoming roadwork scheduled between August 8 and August 11, 2025. As per the advisory, the asphalting of the road surface will be carried out in the Ghat section on the Thane-Ghodbunder route, specifically within the jurisdiction of the Kasarvadavali Traffic Sub-Division.

The roadwork is part of a geometric improvement project at Gaimukh Ghat along the Thane-Ghodbunder State Road 84. The work will begin at 12:01 am on August 8 and continue until 5:00 am on August 11.

To facilitate the smooth flow of traffic and avoid congestion during this period, the police have implemented temporary traffic changes. These changes are designed to ensure public convenience and maintain efficient vehicular movement in the affected areas.

Entry closed: 1) All heavy vehicles going from Mumbai, Thane towards Ghodbunder Road are being closed at Y Junction and Kapurbawdi Junction.

Alternative route: a) All heavy vehicles going from Mumbai, Thane towards Ghodbunder Road will go straight to the desired destination via Kharegaon Toll Plaza, Mankoli, Anjurphata via Nashik Road.

b) All heavy vehicles going from Mumbai, Thane towards Ghodbunder Road will take a right turn near Kapurbawdi Junction and go to the desired destination via Kasheli, Ajurphata.

Entry closed: 2) All heavy vehicles going from Mumbra, Kalwa towards Ghodbunder Road are being closed at Kharegaon Toll Plaza.

Alternative route: All vehicles going from Mumbra, Kalwa towards Ghodbunder Road will go to the desired destination via Kharegaon Khadi Bridge, Kharegaon Toll Plaza, Mankoli, Ajurphata.

Entry closed: 3) All heavy vehicles going from Nashik towards Ghodbunder Road are being ‘enclosed’ at Mankoli Naka.

Alternative route: All heavy vehicles going from Nashik towards Ghodbunder Road will go to the desired destination via Mankoli Bridge, taking a right turn and going to the desired destination via Ajurphata.

Ghodbunder Road – Thane

Entry closed: 1) All heavy vehicles coming from Gujarat towards Ghodbunder Road are being ‘closed’ at Chinchoti Naka.

2) All heavy vehicles coming from Mumbai, Virar, Vasai towards Ghodbunder Road are being ‘closed’ near Fountain Hotel.

Alternative route: All heavy vehicles coming from Gujarat, Mumbai, Virar, Vasai towards Ghodbunder Road will go to the desired destination from Chinchoti Naka via Kaman, Anjur Phata, Mankoli Bhinwadi.

However, the restrictions will not apply to emergency and essential service vehicles, including those of the police, fire brigade, ambulances, green corridor services, and oxygen supply vehicles.

Mumbai: Ravindra Waikar, Member of Parliament from Mumbai North West, raised a significant issue in the Lok Sabha today under Rule 377, urging the Union Government to frame a special housing scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for residents living in protected forest areas and Aarey Colony in Mumbai. He also demanded immediate provision of basic civic amenities such as water, electricity, roads, sanitation, and healthcare on humanitarian grounds until the rehabilitation process is completed.

MP Ravindra Waikar Highlights The Plight Of Residents

Highlighting the plight of residents in Aarey Colony, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and Appa Pada—many of whom belong to tribal communities—Waikar said that numerous informal settlements have existed in these protected forest regions for decades. Despite the large population, residents continue to live without access to essential services.

“The process of rehabilitation is long and uncertain. Until it is completed, it is imperative to improve the living conditions of these citizens. Ensuring access to basic amenities is not just a humanitarian necessity, but also their constitutional right,” Waikar asserted.

He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisions a home and basic facilities for every Indian citizen. “To make this vision a reality, a special housing scheme should be launched under PMAY for forest-dwellers and Aarey residents. Permanent housing should be provided under this scheme, and until then, the government must ensure access to drinking water, electricity, toilets, roads, and healthcare services,” Waikar emphasized.