Five visitors test COVID positive as Mhada makes it mandatory to gain access

Housing body makes testing mandatory to gain entry into its offices as the city witnesses spike in Covid-19 cases in last few days.

By Prajatkta Chavan

@prajakta43

Mumbai: Five visitors at Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) office, Kalanagar tested positive on the first day, as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has made COVID-19 testing mandatory for the general public visiting its office premises.

The COVID-19 test has been made mandatory for the general public entering Mhada premises since Thursday. The tests are conducted for free for visitors, at the entrance of the Mhada premises. Total 182 people were tested on the first day of the camp, and those who tested positive are shifted to COVID-19 camp at Kalina in Santacruz East.

“The mandatory COVID-19 test for the general public will continue till further notice. We appeal to people to opt for Mhada online services and visit personally to the office only when it is absolutely necessary to avoid crowding in the Mhada premises,” said Vaishali Gadpale, Mhada public relation officer (PRO).

Also Read: Covid-19 in Mumbai: BMC completes 10 lakh vaccinations

Meanwhile, Mhada has also started a COVID-19 vaccination drive for its employees above the age of 45 years from Thursday. “Our staff is divided among the boards. The first batch to be vaccinated is of Mumbai board at BKC-COVID Hospital. Later, Konkan and Slum Board employees will also be vaccinated,” added Gadpale.

In meantime, people complained about long queues and huge delays caused to enter Mhada premises due to the time taken for testing. Generally, hundreds of visitor’s access Mhada premises in Kalanagar, Bandra East which houses one bank, two courts, a Maharashtra State Women’s Commission (MSWC) office, and an insurance company office as well.  

“The testing is taking a long time generally it takes 10 to15 minutes to enter Mhada premises after security check, but today the queue was not moving ahead. They should start giving online tokens or appointments so that we don’t have to wait for hours outside the premises. It was huge chaos at Mhada simply to get the access in the premises,” said Sharad Patil, a Borivali resident who returned after waiting almost an hour in the queue.  

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Three positive cases were detected at Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) building in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) on Thursday in the COVID-19 testing camp. “We have started the testing camp since Monday and so far over 1000 visitors are tested here. Of these, eight were found positive and immediately shifted to COVID-19 hospital, BKC,” stated Harish Varade, SRA public relation officer.