BMC yet to decide on shutting jumbo centres

NESCO Jumbo Centre is among the 4 set to be shut. File pic

The fate of the four jumbo COVID centres, which were supposed be closed and dismantled in February, still hangs in balance with civic officials saying they will remain operational till April-end.

After the third wave receded, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had decided to dismantle four of its jumbo centres - Richardson and Cruddas (Mulund); Dahisar Jumbo Centre; Crompton and Greaves (Kanjurmarg); and NESCO (Goregaon) - in February, but the centres continue to remain operational even with 8,200 beds lying vacant since February 25.

As per BMC's order, the last working day of the above centres was February 28. But, BMC postponed the dismantling following a study by IIT Kanpur that predicted a fourth wave for India in June-July. The BMC then sought advice from the State Task Force but did not get a precise response, following which the civic body decided to defer the dismantling work till March-end.

However, even as April has started, BMC is yet to take a decision on the matter. Dr Gautam Bhansali, coordinator of private hospitals and COVID centres, said, "It's a huge decision on whether to continue all centres or just a few. Currently, a lot of countries like Hongkong, China, and some European countries are witnessing a surge in cases. BMC will take the right decision soon."

Another official from the Health Department, who looks after jumbo centres, said, "The administration is in a dilemma. Suppose we close four centres and suddenly there is a rise in cases then officials will have to face the heat from citizens. On the other hand, political parties will question why BMC is paying such high rents and maintenance costs. There is a need for a collective firm decision."

Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani said, "We are going to conduct a meeting with experts next week and will probably take a decision."
As per BMC officials, the current overall expenses stand at around R4 to R4.5 crore a month for Mulund jumbo centre and around R3.4 crore for the Dahisar centre. The amount is around R6.4 crore for the Kanjurmarg and NESCO centres.