10 October,2026 03:27 PM IST | Mumbai | A Correspondent
The move has drawn opposition from elected representatives, who have raised concerns over the privatisation of civic healthcare facilities. Representational Pic
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plan to manage its six hospital under the public-private partnership (PPP) model for 30 years has been opposed by the councillors in Mumbai who have demanded the cancellation of the proposal.
The Mumbai civic body has invited bids from "experienced and qualified" contractors to operate and manage six multispecialty hospitals under a public-private partnership (PPP) model for 30 years, including a possible 15-year extension.
The move has drawn opposition from elected representatives, who have raised concerns over the privatisation of civic healthcare facilities.
The tenders, floated on Friday, invite bids until November 2, 2026, for the operation and management of six healthcare facilities under the civic body's healthcare collaboration model.
The proposal has faced opposition from Municipal Councillor and BMC Health Committee Chairman Harish Bhandirge, former mayor and BMC House Leader of Opposition Kishori Pednekar, and Municipal Councillor Ashraf Azmi.
Azmi has demanded the immediate cancellation of the tenders for all six hospitals, alleging that the BMC is handing over prime civic land to private operators without adequate safeguards for patients from economically weaker sections.
"The BMC is giving six prime plots, Dahisar West CTS 675/12, Chandivali, Mogra in Andheri, Khar Maternity Home, Mankhurd Mandala and Vikhroli Parksite, worth Rs 600 crore free for 30 years to private operators in the name of PPP," Azmi alleged.
Bhandirge said the proposal was introduced without the civic administration discussing it with elected representatives.
"This proposal was floated without the administration discussing it with us. We oppose it and the act of the administration doing this without keeping us informed. Officials are blaming it on each other now. We will demand their detailed response on Monday," he said.
Pednekar questioned the need to outsource the management of municipal healthcare facilities, given the BMC's substantial budget.
"What is this rampant trend of privatisation in the BMC? It is one of the richest civic bodies with such a large budget. It doesn't make any sense when they try to outsource even basic municipal facilities like healthcare," she said.
Azmi alleged that the proposal violated Section 61(gg) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act and warned that private management could increase the financial burden on patients.
"This is a violation of MMC Act 61(gg). Today, OPD is Rs 10 and delivery is free; tomorrow, private operators will charge Rs 1,500 and Rs 60,000. The poor of Mankhurd, Chandivali, Dahisar and Khar will suffer. There will be no free BPL beds," he said.
Mid-Day contacted Additional Municipal Commissioner in charge of health Prajakta Lavangare and Executive Health Officer Santosh Gaikwad late on Friday evening for the civic administration's response. However, no response was received by press time.
