COVID-19: NSCI stadium to be used as observation facility

(Eds: Recasting overnight story)

Mumbai, Apr 9 () The Mumbai civic body has decidedto use the NSCI stadium in Worli area here as an observationfacility for people who may have come in contact withcoronavirus patients, officials said.

The Sardar Vallabhai Patel stadium at the NationalSports Club of India (NSCI) complex is close to WorliKoliwada, one of the coronavirus hotspots in the city.

The stadium usually holds badminton league matches,kabaddi matches, comedy gigs and weddings.

"We have converted the venue into a specialobservation zone for individuals who are believed to have comein contact with COVID-19 patients," said Mazhar Nadiadwala,Managing Director of Dome Entertainment which runs thestadium.

The company has set up 300 beds with standardisedfacilities, in line with the Brihanmumbai MunicipalCorporation (BMC) guidelines, and also offered adjacent roomsto the civic body, he said.

Last week, BMC Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi gavepowers to ward officers to acquire unused properties,including stadia, gyms, unsold inventory of realty players andalso vacant flats, as quarantine or treatment facilities.

Out of the total 1,135 coronavirus cases inMaharashtra so far, 714 have been reported from Mumbai. Themetropolis has also reported 45 deaths due to the viraldisease. AA KRKGK GK