NSCI dome converted into massive quarantine facility
The newly set up facility is located close to Worli Koliwada, which has seen maximum coronavirus cases in the city, and is expected to handle 400-500 patients (Image: NSCI)
In a bid to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, the BMC has temporarily converted the National Sports Club of India’s (NSCI) dome in Worli into a massive quarantine cum observation facility.
The newly set up facility was readied in record two days and is expected to handle 400-500 patients. The civic body will start putting it to use from Thursday.
Notably, the Sardar Vallabhai Patel Stadium at the NSCI complex is close to Worli Koliwada, one of the coronavirus hotspots in the city. It typically holds badminton league matches, kabaddi matches, comedy gigs, and weddings.
“We have converted the venue into a special observation zone for individuals who are believed to have come in contact with COVID-19 patients,” said Mazhar Nadiadwala, Managing Director of Dome Entertainment which runs the stadium.
The company has set up 300 beds with standardised facilities, in line with the BMC guidelines, and also offered adjacent rooms to the civic body, he said.
The isolation centre will have around 500 beds eventually as 200 more are likely to be added soon.
“NSCI, as a part of our social responsibility, has decided to offer the Dome to the BMC for a 500-bed isolation centre for COVID-19 patients. NSCI stands strong with the government to help and support COVID-19 patients in Mumbai,” it said in a statement.
The club also notified its members about the development on Wednesday.
“Dear Members, I want to apprise you that the NSCI Management has received a directive from the MCGM stating that they want to acquire our club premises with immediate effect as a centre for containment of COVID-19,” read a notice from NSCI’s honorary reg. secretary, Atul Maru.
NSCI is the first sporting venue to be converted to a quarantine facility in the city. Earlier, the Mumbai Cricket Association had stated it would make the Wankhede Stadium available for such a facility if required.
Last week, BMC Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi gave powers to ward officers to acquire unused properties, including stadiums, gyms, unsold real estate inventory, etc as quarantine or treatment facilities.
Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases surged to 1,135 on Wednesday, of which 714 are from Mumbai. The financial capital also accounts for 45 deaths out of the 72 in the state.
