The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s 30-year public-private partnership plan for six civic hospitals has triggered opposition from Mumbai councillors, who are demanding that the tenders be cancelled over concerns about healthcare affordability, access for economically weaker patients and the transfer of civic land to private operators.
The BMC invited bids on Friday from “experienced and qualified” contractors to operate and manage six multispecialty healthcare facilities under its healthcare collaboration model. The tender process is scheduled to remain open until November 2, 2026, and includes a possible 15-year extension after the initial 30-year period.
The facilities covered by the proposal include sites at Dahisar West, CTS 675/12 in Chandivali, Mogra in Andheri, Khar Maternity Home, Mankhurd-Mandala and Vikhroli Parksite. Municipal councillor and BMC Health Committee Chairman Harish Bhandirge, former mayor and BMC House Leader of Opposition Kishori Pednekar, and councillor Ashraf Azmi have opposed the plan.
Azmi has demanded the immediate cancellation of the tenders, alleging that the civic body is handing over six prime plots to private operators without adequate safeguards for patients from economically weaker sections. He claimed that the land involved was worth approximately Rs 600 crore and would be made available to private operators for 30 years under the PPP arrangement.
“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 had been introduced without adequate discussion 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 decision to outsource the management of municipal healthcare facilities, pointing to the BMC’s substantial budget. She said the civic administration should explain the broader trend of privatising basic municipal services, including healthcare.
The opposition has also focused on the possible effect of private management on patient charges. Azmi alleged that the proposal could undermine existing low-cost services, citing the current outpatient department fee of Rs 10 and free deliveries. He warned that charges could rise to Rs 1,500 for outpatient treatment and Rs 60,000 for deliveries, and alleged that free beds for families below the poverty line could be affected.
The report did not establish whether the tender documents contain specific provisions protecting free or subsidised treatment, or how tariffs, bed reservations and monitoring would be enforced during the proposed concession period. The BMC’s response to the objections was also not available at the time of publication.
Mid-Day contacted Additional Municipal Commissioner in charge of health Prajakta Lavangare and Executive Health Officer Santosh Gaikwad on Friday evening for the civic administration’s response, but no reply had been received by press time. The councillors are expected to seek a detailed response from the administration on Monday.
