Maharashtra
‘No MRI & No Beds’: Mumbai’s Nair Hospital Struggles Persist Post COVID
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Despite its importance, the hospital continues to struggle with outdated infrastructure and frequent equipment failures.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.
Crime
Mumbai Police Crack Down On Topaz Bar: Manager Booked For Licence Violations In Late-Night Raid

Mumbai: The Crime Branch Unit 3 of the Mumbai Police conducted a late-night raid at an orchestra bar in South Mumbai and registered an FIR against the establishment’s manager for allegedly violating licence conditions.
According to officials, the action was taken at Topaz Bar and Restaurant located under the jurisdiction of DB Marg Police Station. An FIR has been registered under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Police said that at around 11:55 pm on March 6, a team from Crime Branch Unit 3 carried out a raid at the bar in the presence of panch witnesses. During the inspection, officers found that the bar manager had allegedly violated the terms and conditions of the licence issued by the government for operating the bar establishment.
Following the raid, the manager, identified as Vipin Kumar Santosh Singh (43), a resident of Rashmi Star City, Naigaon East, was booked. He was later handed over to the DB Marg Police Station for further legal action.
The raid was conducted by a team comprising Senior Police Inspector Yerekar, API Deshmukh, PSI Trupti Patil, Head Constable Palande, Constable Patil, and driver Dhayigade. Further investigation is underway.
Crime
Thane: Shots Fired Outside Businessman-Influencer Baba Khan’s Residence In Mumbra Early Saturday Morning; One Arrested, Second Accused Absconding

Mumbai: Panic gripped residents of a housing society in Mumbra’s Kausa area after unidentified miscreants allegedly opened fire outside the residence of businessman and social media influencer Nadeem Moinuddin Khan (Alias: Baba Khan), early on Saturday morning. Police have arrested one accused in connection with the incident, while another suspect is absconding.
The firing took place in the early hours of March 7, when two individuals allegedly fired shots at his car and in the air to create panic. The Mumbra Police were immediately alerted about the same and reached the spot.
During the chase that followed, police managed to apprehend Shahabad alias Shambhu Munna Shamshad Qureshi (28) on the streets of Shil Daighar. Officials said Qureshi allegedly fired additional rounds while attempting to evade arrest. Two bystanders sustained injuries during this pursuit and were later provided medical treatment. The second accused, who was involved in the initial firing incident, remains on the run, and a search operation is currently underway.
Meanwhile, a video shared by Khan on social media soon after the incident has gone viral. In the clip, the influencer is seen expressing anger over the attack. He also shows several bullet shells lying on the ground.
Visuals in the video further show a car parked near the building with visible damage, including a cracked rear windshield and impact marks on the rear portion of the vehicle, allegedly caused by the firing.
Khan also claims in the video that he had previously received threats and had informed the Mumbra Police about the matter earlier. According to him, his concerns were not taken seriously at the time. He alleged that despite alerting the authorities earlier, the accused still managed to reach his residence and carry out the attack.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Local Train Update: Mega, Jumbo Blocks Announced On Central, Harbour & Western Lines On March 8; Check Time & Route Here

Mumbai: Commuters travelling on Central Railway and Western Railway on Sunday, 3rd March, are likely to face disruptions as the railway administration has announced a mega and jumbo block on multiple sections for maintenance work. Several suburban services will be cancelled, while others will operate with delays of up to 20 minutes.
On the Western Railway, a night block will be carried out between Mahim and Santacruz stations on the Up and Down slow lines from 1:00 am to 4:30 am on Sunday night. During this period, slow line trains will be diverted to the fast lines. Since the platform is short on certain stations, suburban trains did not halt at Mahalaxmi, Prabhadevi and Matunga Road stations, while trains will make a double halt at Lower Parel, Mahim and Khar Road stations.
The block on the Central Railway’s Main Line will be carried out between Matunga and Mulund stations on the Up and Down fast lines from 11:20 am to 3:45 pm. During this period, fast local trains will be diverted to the slow lines in both directions. As a result, passengers may experience delays and changes in schedules, with some services being cancelled or running approximately 20 minutes behind schedule.
Additionally, another maintenance block was scheduled between Kalyan and Dombivli from 1:45 am to 4:15 am on the night of March 7 and 8, affecting both fast and slow services. Local train leaving for Kalyan from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) at 12.08 am will only run till Thane. The local trains that leave from Kalyan for CSMT at 2.30 am will instead leave from Thane at 4.00 am for CSMT.
Meanwhile, a separate mega block will be implemented on the Harbour Line between Kurla and Vashi from 11:10 am to 4:10 pm on Sunday. Due to this block, all up and down local train services operating between CSMT and Vashi, Belapur and Panvel will remain cancelled during the block period.
To minimise inconvenience to passengers, special local trains will operate between CSMT and Kurla as well as between Panvel and Vashi. Railway officials also clarified that services operating between Thane and Vashi or Nerul, along with trains on the Uran route, will continue to run according to the regular schedule.
Railway authorities have urged commuters to plan their journey accordingly to avoid any inconvenience.
-
Crime4 years agoClass 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra1 year agoMumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra1 year agoMumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra1 year agoFalse photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News1 year agoMinistry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra1 year agoMaharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News1 year agoJ&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface
-
Crime1 year agoBaba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
