Aapla Dawakhana operates out of container instead of new structure in Malabar Hill

Mumbai: The Aapla Dawakhana in Malabar Hill which had faced resistance from locals for encroaching on pedestrian space has commenced operations — from a container placed next to the constructed structure.The BMC said that it planned to reduce the size of the constructed structure by half, with the clinic operating out of both the container and the modified structure.Assistant municipal commissioner, D ward, Sharad Ughade said the response to the medical facility was good. "Taking into consideration citizens' concerns and also the demand for an HBT clinic in the area, we began operations on Sept 14. It is functioning daily from 3 pm to 10 pm and 35 to 40 people visit it daily. While the expected average number is 50 people, we assume this will increase after locals become more aware of the facility," he said.Ughade said half of the structure that was constructed would be demolished so that citizens' concerns about it obstructing the pedestrian space were also dealt with.Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana, also known as HBT clinics, are aimed at providing better healthcare access and free medical treatment options close to a patient's home. Some of the clinics also offer free blood tests.Some residents felt their concerns had been ignored. "We were never against the Aapla Dawakhana, but its location. The structure obstructed pedestrian movement, and there were concerns it could attract anti-social elements. By dismissing requests to relocate the clinic, the voices of the electorate have been disregarded," a resident said.The clinic is set up on a road which is used by many walkers to get themselves a public bus service from the stop near Hanging Garden, said a resident.The first HBT clinic was set up in Oct 2022 in Dharavi and there are over 200 such clinics now. A majority of these are set up on footpaths or by taking away road space.The Dharavi centre, which has been set up on a footpath, began operations on Oct 2.