HYDERABAD: At least 12 new hospitals are set to spring up in the city's Shamshabad-Hi-Tec City stretch over the next few years. Apart from local names, the list also includes international brands that are driving into the city in large numbers hoping to cash in on not just the rising demand for specialised healthcare but also on Hyderabad's world-class airport that has positioned the city as a medical tourism destination .
Not surprising then, the vast tracts of open space surrounding the Shamshabad international airport are suddenly being considered by investors as the best bet for setting up multi-specialty hospitals.
So, if there is an international hospital (a GMR, Apollo Hospitals and Mayo Clinic joint venture) being built within the Health Port of the airport SEZ, not too far away in Nalagandla there is another medical institute, Citizens Hospital, which is on its way to completion. In fact, this 500-bed hospital, spread over an area of about 10 acres, is expected to become partially operational from June next year. "Besides local patients, this international-standard hospital will also be catering to the huge demand for such facility among overseas patients," said an official attached with the project pointing to the spurt in medical tourism in Hyderabad.
While there is, even now, a steady flow of tourists visiting the city for treatment, investors are trying hard to improve the foot-fall further, sources said. And, their primary marketing tool: The Shamshabad international airport.
Predictably, areas such as the Financial District or Gachibowli, both of which are within a 30 km radius of the airport, are also being eyed for this purpose. While there is already a facility, Continental Hospital, coming up in Gachibowli, sources indicate that at least two other international groups are in talks with local parties to pick up about two lakh square feet (sft) area in this belt. Though no confirmation has been received from the investors, sources say that the deals are in their final stage and are likely to be sealed soon.
"There is also a group of doctors from the US who are looking for land in the city to set up a centre and they are sure it has to be in the Shamshabad airport-Gachibowli stretch," said a real estate developer.
And what's adding to their advantage is the low realty rates prevailing in this area at present. If until two years ago, land in Shamshabad was available for nothing less than Rs 2-6 crore per acre, now it is priced at a more modest range varying between Rs 70 lakh and Rs 3 crore. Similarly Gachibowli too is 50% cheaper now with a one-acre plot available for Rs 4-10 crore. "All these factors put together are likely to see this part of town develop into a medical hub soon," an observer noted.
No comments:
Post a Comment