Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Mar 28: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering free, high-quality healthcare to all Mumbai residents, announcing a major expansion of Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 2 of the hospital’s redevelopment in Sion, Fadnavis revealed that the facility’s capacity will be significantly increased from 1,900 beds to 3,286 beds. The ambitious project, estimated at Rs 2,500 crore, is expected to be completed by 2030.
The redevelopment plan includes a state-of-the-art main hospital building, a dedicated cancer care wing, expanded emergency services, and a modern outpatient department (OPD). The Chief Minister noted that the hospital, which began as a modest 60-bed facility in 1947, has evolved into one of the city’s key medical institutions.
Highlighting its current capabilities, he said the hospital already houses one of Asia’s largest trauma care centres, along with facilities such as a human milk bank and a specialised skin bank for burn victims. “With the growing number of patients, modernization has become essential,” he said.
The project will feature a 15-storey building with a capacity of 2,200 beds, a 13-storey cancer care facility with 200 beds, and a 14-storey emergency services block accommodating 600 beds. Additionally, a 25-storey residential tower will be constructed for doctors and nursing staff.
More than 40 operation theatres are planned, along with a 14-storey OPD complex capable of handling up to 16,000 patients daily. The hospital will also be equipped with advanced diagnostic technologies, including MRI, CT scan, PET scan, and a pneumatic tube system for rapid transport of medical samples.
Fadnavis also highlighted the benefits of the Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, under which citizens can avail free treatment up to Rs 5 lac for around 2,400 illnesses, with coverage extending up to Rs 22 lac for select critical conditions. He emphasized that technology-driven healthcare will be central to the upgraded hospital’s functioning.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Mayor Ritu Tawde described the redevelopment as a transformative step for the city’s healthcare system. She noted that the BMC is unique in providing primary, secondary, and tertiary care under one umbrella, catering to over 75 lac outpatients annually. The “One City, One Health System” initiative aims to ensure better coordination across all municipal hospitals.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated E-Buggy ambulances to facilitate patient movement within the hospital premises, further enhancing accessibility and efficiency.