Amid civil organisations opposing the privatisation of government-run hospitals under the public-private partnership, the organisation — Andheri Vikas Samiti, led by leaders across political parties in Mumbai, staged a protest on Thursday (November 6, 2025), demanding the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) take control of the SevenHills hospital, “instead of giving it to industrialist Mukesh Ambani”.
The Andheri Vikas Samiti, comprising party functionaries from BJP, NCP-SP, NCP, Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), CPI, and others, demonstrated in front of the SevenHills hospital in Andheri East, urging the BJP-led Mahayuti government to meet to discuss demands.
“All we want is for BMC to take over the control of the hospital. Earlier, the hospital under the PPP model failed to survive; at the same time, it was difficult for the last man to afford. Once again, putting the hospital under the same treatment is unacceptable. A less privileged man can hardly walk to Kokilaben and Nanavati hospital, will they be able to do when Ambani’s take over this hospital,” said Rajesh Sharma, Chairman of the Andheri Vikas Samiti.
During the protest, he also discussed that the hospital’s debt problem can be solved if BMC pays off the debt from the fixed deposits. “Anyhow, they were waiving off pending taxes of the hospital for Ambani as well,” he added.
The hospital, originally meant for cancer patients, was under the PPP model, managed by Visakhapatnam Industrialist Jitendra Das Maganti. Due to debts, the owners got into the insolvency proceedings. The hospital is spread across 16.7 acres and has 1,500 beds, out of which a few have been operational since the last decade, while other parts of the hospital have been lying vacant.
Andheri Vikas Samiti has written letters to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mukesh Ambani on the issue. However, “no action” or meetings have been held on this matter. “Continuous follow-ups have been made with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the BMC, and concerned authorities, but the lack of response from either the Chief Minister or the administration is worrisome,” said Dilip Mane, associated with the Samiti.
The Samiti also wrote a letter to Ambani, requesting not to take over the hospital and instead, “facilitate the process of its takeover by the government, for the benefit of the people of Mumbai and Maharashtra”.
Andheri Shiv Sena Murji Patel said that he will help to reach these demands to the government. “BMC made a mistake once by giving a hospital to private players. I assure you it won’t happen again.”