The Bombay High Court on Thursday voiced grave concern over severe waterlogging at the civic-run KEM Hospital during this week’s heavy rainfall in Mumbai.
A vacation bench comprising Justice Gauri Godse and Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to carry out an immediate inspection of the hospital premises and propose corrective measures. The bench expressed dismay, stating that KEM was once regarded as one of the premier hospitals in the country. “There has to be a solution. A hospital cannot be allowed to flood like this,” the court observed.
The judges lamented the hospital’s deteriorating condition, recalling its former prestige. “KEM Hospital was once among the best in India. People from across the country used to come here. Look at the state it is in now. Something must be done. The hospital management cannot allow such waterlogging. A hospital must maintain hygiene and basic cleanliness,” the bench noted.
The issue was brought before the court by advocate Mohit Khanna during a hearing in a public interest litigation (PIL) that the court had taken up suo motu two years ago. The PIL addresses the lack of adequate infrastructure and medical facilities in government hospitals across Maharashtra.
Khanna cited media reports which showed patients seated in ankle-deep water in the corridors of KEM Hospital in Parel. He added that water had even seeped into critical areas, including MRI rooms. Monday’s torrential rain had left several parts of Mumbai waterlogged, with KEM among the worst affected.
Urging swift action, Khanna appealed to the court to direct the BMC to implement urgent measures to prevent such incidents from recurring, especially in healthcare institutions meant to serve the public.
The court has asked for immediate intervention and expects a report from BMC on remedial steps.
Source: Mid-day
