The BMC wants to revoke a land agreement made with the Siddhivinayak temple trust because the latter has failed to set up health services for the poor as was agreed upon. In the next general body meeting, BMC will finalise a plan to set up its own health unit on the plot.
The plot, measuring 1,100 square metres and located on Gokhale Road near Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi, was given to the trust in 1998 to set up a health care unit for the needy. But it has been lying unused and vacant. The BMC now wants to annul the land agreement. Civic officials claim the body will independently build a dispensary there.
Earlier in September, the BMC had issued a letter to the trust, specifying that the land agreement had been cancelled. The issue will be discussed further in the general body meeting in the coming week.
Civic officials said the temple trust had constantly been putting plans for a diagnostic centre at the plot on the backburner.
“It’s been around 13 years since the land was given to the trust. Despite several meetings, the plan for a health care centre has not seen the light of day. A reminder letter we sent, too, was ignored,” said a civic official, requesting anonymity.
“Most of the plots earmarked for public welfare are being encroached upon. We don’t want the same to happen to the plot near Siddhivinayak Temple. We are now left with no option but to cancel the land allotment,” said mayor Shraddha Jadhav.
She added that the civic body will set up a health facility, where the needy can avail of medical services either for free or at subsidised rates.
“The modality of the health centre will be worked out. The civic body has the capacity to maintain a health centre on its own. Its facilities will be extended to citizens by the year-end,” she said.
