The Somaiya Ground in Sion, the city's final Jumbo COVID-19 centre, is being taken down by MHADA. These centres were a symbol of the city's fight against the virus.
In 2021, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), learning from the first two waves, started preparing for an expected third wave. With nearly 6,000 beds, it constructed 3 additional jumbo centres in Malad, Sion, and Kanjurmarg.
But the third wave saw fewer patients than expected, and the beds remained empty as hospitalisations remained below 5 per cent.
With infection rates high but hospitalisations low, the decision was made to treat patients in hospitals. Hence, these centres could not be used.
These centres had been quickly constructed to make space for adequate medical supplies during the lockdowns. The centre at Somaiya Ground was even considered for repurposing as a waiting area for cancer patients' families, but the plan fell through due to its location under high-tension wires.
The dismantling of the total 9 centres began in mid-2022 and now, the last of these centre is demolished.
The Jumbo centres were central to Maharashtra's pandemic response. They were initially quarantine zones but became critical for treatment. They were also helpful during the oxygen crisis because of their ICU beds and oxygen pipelines.
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