BMC-SHHPL battle heading towards settlement, HC told

Nearly after two years of negotiations, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Seven Hills Healthcare Private Limited (SHHPL) today informed the Bombay High Court that they are close to reaching a settlement on the dispute over reserving 20 per cent beds at the Marol hospital for poor patients.
The super speciality hospital, which was locked in a battle with BMC, today withdrew its petitions filed in the High Court challenging the civic body's decision to not issue them a No Objection Certificate.
"It appears that the parties are reaching at a settlement and hence want to withdraw the petitions," advocate Lara Jesani, appearing for the hospital told the court.

Counsel for BMC, Ashutosh Kumbakoni, told the court that the hospital and civic body officials have had two or more meetings and are making progress towards settlement.
Allowing the petition to be withdrawn, a division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice M S Sanklecha said, "The petitioners seek to withdraw in an endeavour to settle their disputes with the BMC. It is allowed and the petitions are disposed of."
The Corporation had in September 2011 issued notice to the hospital asking them to vacate the nearly seven acres land allotted to it in a public-private partnership. In return BMC wanted 20 per cent of the hospital to run like a municipal hospital so that poor people could also avail the facilities.

SHHPL has claimed that they have a capacity of 1500 beds. However, the Corporation has given them Occupation Certificate for only 300 beds.

SHHPL has earlier informed HC that it was ready to construct a separate wing with 300 beds and hand it over to the Corporation as a part of its condition to reserve some beds for the poor patients.
However, the BMC insisted that the hospital itself manage 20 per cent of its capacity for poor patients and make all its facilities available.
The court had asked the senior counsels of BMC and the hospital to mediate and try to help resolve the dispute amicably.