MMRDA to set up a COVID care centre in Malad with 2200 beds

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), after a recent discussion, decided to set up a state-of-the-art Coronavirus (COVID-19) treatment centre with 2,200 beds. This facility will be developed in Malad and MMRDA has planned to announce a tender for this, the process of which is expected to start on May 7, 2021. 

The decision to set up a facility was taken after observing a rapid increase in the number of coronavirus patients during the ongoing second wave. Over the last few weeks, the state government has taken the necessary efforts to manage the crisis and fulfil the shortage of beds, oxygen, ventilators, etc. Meanwhile, experts have alerted the state regarding the possibility of a third COVID-19 wave. Keeping the same in mind, the government has asked the civic bodies to prepare for the same.

Acting upon the same, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started preparing and planning the crisis management in advance. Focus is being put on developing the necessary facilities and the responsibility for the proposed centre in Malad has been handed over to MMRDA.

BMC has estimated the cost of this facility to be INR 65 crore. However, as the tender is yet to be finalized, and it is understood that the amount to spend on the same has not been decided et. MMRDA has started the tender process. 

Out of the 2,200 beds at the centre, 1,400 will be with oxygen, 600 will be for general patients and 200 would be ICU beds. In addition, 18 dialysis units, pathology labs, CT scan systems, COVID test machines etc. will be provided at the centre.

To ensure the construction is done effectively, the officials will level the ground in Malad, which, during the monsoon, gets filled with water. As the land is privately owned, MMRDA has asked the municipality for help and the work will be done by the respective departments. The team states that efforts are being made to set up the facility in the next 15 to 20 days. Last year, i.e. in 2020, MMRDA had set up the COVID-19 centre at BKC to manage the emergency.