Juma Masjid offers BMC its south Mumbai premises for vaccination drive

MUMBAI: Juma Masjid of Bombay Trust has offered its ground-plus-two-storey premises in south Mumbai to the BMC to start a vaccination centre since the civic body plans to roll out a mass vaccination drive for all aged above 18 years soon.
Shuaib Khatib, chairman of Juma Masjid of Bombay Trust, said many members of the community have been hesitant to take the jab and therefore they are of the opinion that starting a centre in their premises would encourage them to put aside their apprehensions.
“The premises were kept reserved for medical purposes only, so what’s better than starting a vaccination centre on a temporary basis? Cold storage and other necessary infrastructure would be provided by our trust for the benefit of the public,” said Khatib.
Amin Patel, Congress MLA from the area, said he has already forwarded the trust’s request letter to the BMC and will be pursuing it.
Patel, an MLA from Mumbadevi, said he has also given the BMC a list of six other locations, including municipal dispensaries, where vaccination centres can be started. “One of it is also the Najam Baug banquet hall, which was turned into a Covid centre in the past,” said Patel.
Meanwhile, Andheri MLA Ameet Satam has also written to the BMC to make use of the Andheri Sports Complex and start a mega vaccination centre at the spot, considering the facilities and holding capacity. “With increasing queues for vaccination and scenes of senior citizens waiting in scorching heat for their turn, it has become extremely important to streamline a plan and strategise the vaccination exercise by taking it to big centres that have a lot of space and facilities,” said Satam in his letter.
BJP corporator Nehal Shah, too, has written to the BMC to begin vaccination centres in two schools at Dadar East and Antop Hill. Shah said it was important to open more centres for citizens where physical distancing can be maintained.
BMC officials said while they have already begun talks with all political representatives for starting vaccination centres, schools may be avoided in case they needing to reopen.