The long-awaited redevelopment of the municipal Bhagwati Hospital in Borivali is nearing completion, marking a major stride in strengthening public healthcare infrastructure in Mumbai’s northern suburbs. The ₹500-crore project, spearheaded by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), is expected to significantly expand access to affordable medical care and improve diagnostic and surgical facilities for thousands of residents.
Officials confirmed that the redevelopment, delayed for several years, has now gained pace under renewed administrative focus to enhance civic health infrastructure. Once completed, the upgraded hospital will provide comprehensive, multi-specialty services catering to both routine and emergency healthcare needs. The redeveloped hospital will be equipped with advanced diagnostic and critical care units, including MRI, CT scan, sonography, dialysis, and cath lab facilities. It will also feature modular operation theatres for orthopaedic, ophthalmic, and general surgeries, designed to improve procedural efficiency and patient safety.
A senior BMC official stated that the project aims to “provide citizens of Mumbai North with the same standard of care expected at leading private hospitals, but within the public healthcare framework.” The hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will include ventilator-equipped wards, recovery zones, and emergency treatment areas to deliver high-quality care during critical situations. This upgrade is particularly important for suburban citizens who currently rely on overstretched facilities at nearby tertiary hospitals. According to project planners, the redevelopment is being executed in two phases. The first involves relocating existing services to the newly constructed building, while the second will see the operationalisation of obstetrics, gynaecology, and paediatrics departments within four months. Once complete, Bhagwati Hospital will emerge as a full-scale, multi-specialty institution serving as a healthcare anchor for northern Mumbai.
In parallel, work is progressing to modernise the BMC-run Shatabdi Hospital in Kandivali. Planned upgrades include advanced operation theatres, micro-drill systems, ophthalmic and ENT equipment, and digital imaging facilities. These improvements aim to reduce patient travel time for specialised surgeries and enhance treatment outcomes. Urban planning experts note that the redevelopment of both hospitals reflects a broader move towards equitable healthcare delivery in Mumbai, ensuring that quality medical facilities are not limited to central or southern zones. Strengthening suburban healthcare systems can also help reduce the carbon footprint of patient travel across the city, aligning with the larger vision of sustainable, accessible urban development.
Once completed, the dual hospital upgrades are expected to serve as models for inclusive public health infrastructure in metropolitan India—combining civic investment with social equity and sustainable design priorities.
Also Read : Mumbai To Add More 15-Coach Locals As Central Line Platforms Expand
