MUMBAI, Sept. 24 -- The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the setting up of a super speciality hospital at Achole in Vasai, on a plot that was reserved earlier for the district court. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made the announcement on Tuesday after the state cabinet meeting. The Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC), established in 2009, has no major hospital, despite a population exceeding 2.8 million. Most residents in the area depend on to hospitals in Borivali, Mira Road, and Andheri. In July 2024, the state had approved the construction of a 400-bed super speciality hospital in Achole. It had also approved Rs.250 crore for setting up the hospital and disbursed Rs.25 crore. Foundation stone laying ceremonies for the hospital were held twice, but there was no progress as the plot had not been officially transferred to the VVCMC. The plot in question was owned by the law and judiciary department and reserved for the district court. On March 4, 2025, Nallasopara MLA Rajan Naik had submitted a letter to Fadnavis, highlighting delays in transferring the plot. The chief minister subsequently instructed the Konkan Divisional Commissioner to convene a special meeting and prepare a proposal for the transfer. On March 7, a decision was made to revert the plot to the revenue department. The reservation of the plot has been changed and the plot is with the civic body, said officials. The VVCMC area has only 96 registered doctors at present, who run two small hospitals in Bolinj and Vasai. They have 12 superspeciality doctors on honorarium. On many occasions, doctors refer snake-bite cases to the BMC-run Bhagwati Hospital in Borivali. Those who can afford private health care go to Karuna Hospital. Thanking Fadnavis for the decision, Naik said the corporation will hold a meeting with the CM to discuss more on the hospital and hiring of professors. "We have enough land and can start a medical college in future.'' The constituencies of Vasai, Virar, and Nallasopara were represented by the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, led by Hitendra Thakur, for many years. This time, both the assembly seats were won by the BJP. The decision on the hospital comes ahead of the civic polls in which the BJP is eyeing a win....