Navi Mumbai Veterinary Hospital Launch Delayed, Activists Demand Immediate Rescue Center
In Navi Mumbai, animal welfare activists have strongly criticized the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) for the delayed and low-key launch of a veterinary hospital in Juinagar. The facility, which opened quietly on Wednesday with limited amenities, has been described by activists and animal lovers as a glaring failure of urban planning and civic sensitivity.
Years of Delay and Limited Facilities
The veterinary hospital building was actually completed back in 2021 but remained unused for five long years. Under mounting pressure, the NMMC recently appointed three doctors and four staff members to commission the facility. However, activists report that it launched with significantly fewer amenities than required for full-fledged operations.
The outpatient department began without any formal inauguration or fanfare, which many say fails to address the larger issue of adequately serving the patient load. This delay has forced animal rescuers to continue depending on private veterinarians or transporting injured animals to distant treatment centers, often missing crucial treatment windows.
Urgent Call for Rescue Center in Kharghar Forest
Activists have urgently appealed to the state government to permit the establishment of a dedicated rescue center in the Kharghar forest area. They emphasize that treatment beginning within 30 minutes to an hour could dramatically improve survival chances for rescued animals and birds.
BN Kumar, director of the NatConnect Foundation, highlighted the pressing need: "Navi Mumbai and Panvel frequently witness rescue cases involving flamingos, birds of prey, snakes, and small mammals, particularly during migratory, summer, and monsoon seasons. Yet the city has no dedicated rescue center where injured creatures can receive immediate treatment."
Municipal Response and Future Plans
In response to the criticism, the NMMC has announced that a formal inauguration ceremony will be conducted within the next couple of weeks. The corporation has committed to having overall facilities fully operational by the end of the month.
However, activists remain skeptical. The NatConnect Foundation filed a formal complaint with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, stating: "It is a matter of grave concern that Navi Mumbai has failed to provide this basic facility even after nearly six decades of its existence."
The ongoing situation underscores broader challenges in urban animal welfare infrastructure and highlights the gap between municipal planning and practical implementation for emergency veterinary services.
