MP Shrikant Shinde pushes KDMC to build 500-bed multi-speciality hospitals, medical college in Kalyan-Dombivli

KALYAN: Amid growing concerns over inadequate healthcare infrastructure in Kalyan-Dombivli, Kalyan Loksabha MP Shrikant Shinde has directed the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation administration to prepare an ambitious redevelopment plan for the civic body’s two major hospitals by converting them into modern 500-bed multi-speciality hospitals with a medical college facilities.

During a high-level review meeting held at the KDMC headquarters on Wednesday, Shinde instructed civic officials to appoint consultants and begin planning for the redevelopment of Rukminibai Hospital in Kalyan and Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli into state-of-the-art healthcare institutions aimed at addressing the region’s growing medical needs on line of Thane's Civil hospital. Shinde informed that work of dedicated cancer hospital in Dombivli is ongoing and by next year it will be operational for public.

The meeting, attended by senior KDMC officials including KDMC Commissioner Abhinav Goel, Mayor Harshali Chaudhari, standing committee chairman Mallesh Shetty and office-bearers, also focused on several key infrastructure projects across Kalyan-Dombivli.

Speaking after the meeting, Shinde said the long-pending water crisis in 27 villages of Kalyan Rural would be resolved within the next six months under the ongoing Amrit Yojana works.

He said the project required an additional Rs 50 crore due to increased project estimation and pending water connectivity works. The additional funding was approved by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the sanction letter was handed over to the Mayor during the meeting itself. KDMC will also contribute another Rs 50 crore, taking the total additional allocation for the project to Rs 100 crore.

According to Shinde, the funds will help complete crucial works including water tank connectivity and distribution infrastructure, ensuring a permanent solution to water shortages in the 27 villages.

The review meeting also discussed replacement of ageing water pipelines in urban areas of Kalyan and Dombivli. KDMC has prepared a detailed project report worth Rs 268 crore to modernise the city’s water distribution network.

Shinde further said that discussions were held on raising funds through municipal bonds after the Centre recently allowed municipal corporations to mobilise finances through the route, with 50 per cent support from the Central government.

The ambitious Ring Road project aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Kalyan-Dombivli was another major focus area during the meeting. Officials reviewed all eight segments of the project. In Segment 3, land acquisition has been done, and instructions were issued to expedite the process. Shinde added that the revised alignment for Segment 2 by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority is expected to speed up the project. All land acquisition related to the Ring Road project is expected to be completed by July.

On urban redevelopment, Shinde said KDMC is exploring implementation of a cluster redevelopment scheme on the lines of Mumbai and Thane. The Mayor is expected to visit Thane to study the ongoing cluster redevelopment model there.

The issue of traffic congestion in Dombivli East was also discussed in detail. Shinde said that after the SATIS project in Kalyan nears completion, KDMC has been directed to prepare a project report for a similar SATIS-style infrastructure project in Dombivli East to seek government funding at the earliest.