Govt Hospital Flooded: Bombay High Court Asks BMC, Maharashtra Govt To Take Preventive Measures Amid Monsoon

The Bombay High Court recently ordered the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to undertake remedial measures to ensure there is no flooding again in the civic-run King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital in the city.

A vacation court bench of Justices Gauri Godse and Somasekhar Sundaresan raised concerns about the medical facilities in the KEM hospital, a key civic-run hospital in Mumbai's Parel area, due to the sudden flooding, after going through news reports highlighting patients sitting in ankle-length deep water. 

"The amicus curiae has placed on record the printouts of the relevant articles reporting rain water floods in KEM Hospital where the patients are seen sitting at ankle length deep water. The printouts of the newspaper articles are taken on record," the bench recorded in its May 29 order. 

After the bench's directive, additional government pleader Priyabhushan Kakade instructed by Manoj Telkatwar, the Assistant Dean of the KEM Hospital, submitted that "the hospital did face such situation due to rain water flooding."

"Mr Kakade further submits that they intend to take remedial measures to avoid any such incident in future. He submits that he will take necessary instructions from the Health Department of the State Government and place on record the necessary details of the immediate action that would be taken on behalf of the State Government to ensure that such incident does not occur in future in the Hospital," the judges noted. 

However, Amicus Curiae Mohit Khanna pointed out that the BMC would be a 'necessary party' as remedial measures would also have to be taken by the Corporation.

"We find substance in the suggestions made by Mr. Khanna. Hence, we find it appropriate to issue notice to Corporation. The Corporation is expected to visit KEM Hospital and suggest remedial measures to the management of KEM Hospital," the bench observed. 

Therefore, the bench issued a notice to the BMC on "urgent basis" along with copy of the instant order calling for a detailed affidavit from the civic body on the remedial steps, it proposes to take to avoid such a situation in future. 

"The Corporation shall take necessary steps and file affidavit before the next date placing on record the particulars of immediate remedial measures with reference to the grievances placed on record by Mr. Khanna," the judges said. 

With these observations, the bench ordered the matter to be placed on June 16 for a detailed hearing by a regular bench. Meanwhile, bot the State as well as the BMC have been asked to file their responses to the instant Suo Motu PIL initiated in 2023 with regards to the monsoon woes of Mumbai.