For the residents of Vasai Virar, the promise of a well-equipped hospital with 200 beds has been a long-standing dream. However, despite three groundbreaking ceremonies, the approval of ₹250 crore in funds, and years of political promises, the construction of Achole Hospital remains stalled. The latest hurdle? A land dispute that has left the project in limbo, further delaying much-needed healthcare infrastructure for the region.
A Dream Deferred
The need for a fully-equipped hospital in Vasai Virar has been a pressing issue for years. With a growing population and limited healthcare facilities, residents have repeatedly demanded better medical infrastructure. In response, the local municipal corporation earmarked a two-acre plot in Achole, Survey Number 6, Reservation Number 455, for the construction of a 200-bed hospital. The project was seen as a beacon of hope, promising to bring advanced medical facilities closer to home.
However, the journey from planning to execution has been anything but smooth. Despite the allocation of funds and multiple political ceremonies to mark the beginning of construction, the project has faced numerous delays. The most recent setback involves a land dispute that has thrown the entire plan into uncertainty.
The Land Dispute Dilemma
The land originally reserved for the hospital has now been earmarked for the construction of a session court and residential quarters for judges. The Public Works Department (PWD) issued a circular stating that the plot, bearing Land Bearing Number 376 and Survey Number 27, should be transferred to the judiciary for this purpose. In exchange, the PWD would receive another plot for the hospital. However, this exchange has created a bureaucratic tangle, leaving the hospital project without a clear location.
This development has left the municipal corporation in a difficult position. On one hand, funds for the hospital have already been approved. On the other, the lack of a suitable plot has brought construction to a standstill. As a result, the dream of a state-of-the-art hospital for Vasai Virar remains just that—a dream.
Political Promises and Groundbreaking Ceremonies
Over the past five years, the Achole Hospital project has seen not one, not two, but three groundbreaking ceremonies. Each event was marked by political fanfare, with leaders from various parties vying to take credit for the initiative.
The first ceremony took place on August 19, 2021, with then-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray presiding over the event. At the time, it was hoped that the hospital would soon become a reality. However, three years later, the project has made little progress.
On July 10, 2024, two more groundbreaking ceremonies were held. BJP MP Dr. Hemant Sawara and Bahujan Vikas Aghadi leader Kshitij Thakur both performed separate rituals, reigniting hopes among residents. Yet, these ceremonies now seem more like political gestures than genuine steps toward progress.
The Search for a New Location
With the original plot no longer available, the municipal corporation has begun searching for an alternative site. Officials are exploring plots owned by the corporation that could be exchanged with the PWD to free up the reserved land for the hospital.
Pradeep Pachange, the executive engineer of the municipal corporation, has assured residents that efforts are underway to resolve the issue. “We are in talks with the government and the PWD to identify a suitable plot for the hospital. Once the land issue is resolved, construction can begin,” he said. However, given the bureaucratic hurdles, it remains unclear how long this process will take.
A Community in Need
For the residents of Vasai Virar, the delays are more than just an inconvenience—they are a matter of life and death. With limited healthcare facilities in the area, many are forced to travel long distances for medical treatment. The Achole Hospital was supposed to change that, offering advanced medical care closer to home.
Local representatives have been vocal in their demands for the project to move forward. They have repeatedly approached the government, urging officials to prioritize the hospital. However, their pleas have yet to yield concrete results.
What’s Next?
As the land dispute continues to delay construction, residents are growing increasingly frustrated. The repeated groundbreaking ceremonies and political promises have done little to address the underlying issues. For now, the Achole Hospital remains a symbol of unfulfilled promises and bureaucratic inefficiency.
The municipal corporation has assured residents that it is working diligently to resolve the land issue and move the project forward. However, until a suitable plot is identified and construction begins, the people of Vasai Virar will continue to wait for the healthcare facilities they so desperately need.
In the meantime, the three groundbreaking ceremonies serve as a stark reminder of the gap between political promises and tangible progress. For the residents of Vasai Virar, the hope for a better healthcare future remains just out of reach.
