MP: 254 crore spent in 18 years, ESIC Hospital revamp still not over, order probe

Mumbai: A thorough probe into the Rs 254-crore makeover of ESIC Hospital in Andheri East is necessary since it's still not fully operational despite such a massive spend, said MP Ravindra Waikar.Renovation began in 2008. The hospital was to become fully operational this Jan. Waikar, who represents Mumbai North-West, met Union labour minister Mansukh Mandaviya and submitted a letter demanding an inquiry into the tender for the makeover, the construction of six floors allegedly without BMC nod, and the delay in completion of work. "The tender conditions were changed eight times... The construction cost has crossed the original estimate of Rs 254 crore... Permission was for only two floors... and now, the occupation certificate cannot be issued for this reason. MBBS students are being sent to Kandivli for practical training," he said.Waikar, at his meeting with Mandaviya, demanded that inpatient services and the operation theatre complex, which is 90% complete, be made operational immediately. Male and female patient wards should be started on the third and fourth floors of the main building, instead of administrative offices, and at least one emergency operation theatre and five ICU beds be made operational immediately, he said. He also sought that the old staff quarters be repaired and residential arrangements made for new employees. Six persons were killed and 146 hurt when a fire broke out in the hospital in 2018.