The Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) has given its approval to raise the height of the compound wall of KEM Hospital in Parel following the police’s request.
The KEM Hospital and GS Medical College campus have a Grade II-B heritage status.
“Due to the security reasons, the committee has given a go-ahead to the proposal to put up railings similar to the high court building. The railings will be transparent and higher than the compound wall. So, the view of the building will not be hampered,” said a member of the heritage committee. The railing around high court building is just behind the compound wall.
Civic officials said the police had asked the hospital administration to raise the height of the hospital’s compound wall for security reason. “A supplementary proposal along with the proposed 22-storey building was put up before the committee. But it rejected the proposal, observing that the existing height is quite adequate and is serving the purpose. Also, any addition would obstruct the building’s view,” said a civic official.
The civic official added that KEM Hospital has proposed to build a new stilt plus 22-storey building comprising dormitories, resident medical officers quarters, examiners rooms, assembly hall and recreational area. Right now, there is not enough accommodation space for resident doctors and medical students of GS Medical College.
V Ranganathan, heritage committee chairman, said: “The committee suggested that it should be in tune with the building’s architecture so that it does not obstruct the view of the heritage structure.”
