With the increasing number of coronavirus cases, officials at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have been working hard to ensure safety of the citizens. Over the last few months, several officers from the government have been infected with the virus, and amidst this, the BMC lost another officer. On Saturday, July 11, BMC's Assistant Commissioner Ashok Khairnar succumbed to coronavirus.
Khairnar was the ward officer of Mumbai's H-East division which includes Khar (E), Bandra (E) and Santacruz (E). The 57-year-old was infected with coronavirus a week earlier, after which he was treated at Gurunanak Hospital. He was later shifted to Seven Hills Hospital. As per reports, after his condition worsened, he was rushed to Fortis Hospital yesterday but passed away in the afternoon on Sunday. Khairnar will be cremated at Shivaji Park.
BMC also shared the information on Twitter with a message, "BMC mourns the untimely demise of one of our most efficient colleagues, Mr. Ashok Khairnar, Assistant Commissioner, H-East Ward. He lost his life battling Coronavirus. We pray for his soul to rest in peace and offer our condolences to the bereaved family."
He was one of the important officials who helped the BMC in reducing the number of patients in several parts of the city. It is said that his efforts also led to the lowest COVID-19 growth rate and increasing the doubling rate in Mumbai's H-East ward.
So far, more than 2000 officers from the BMC have been affected with coronavirus and over 100 have died to the infection. Earlier, Deputy Commissioner of the city Shirish Dixit also died due to corona. Besides them, officers from the Mumbai Police and employees of BEST have also been affected with the COVID-19.