BKT Foundation establishes advanced sports injury center at KEM Hospital in Mumbai

INDIA – Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT), a global leader in the Off-Highway Tyre (OHT) industry, has taken a major step forward in strengthening India’s public healthcare and sports infrastructure.

Through its philanthropic arm, The BKT Foundation, the company has partnered with King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, Mumbai, to establish a state-of-the-art Sports Injury and Rehabilitation Centre within the hospital premises.

The facility, which spans over 15,000 square feet, represents a powerful commitment to advancing the nation’s sports ecosystem and improving access to world-class rehabilitation services.

The new centre was inaugurated on December 14, 2025, by Mr. Arvind Poddar, Chairman and Managing Director of BKT, along with Mrs. Vijaylaxmi Poddar, Chairperson of the BKT CSR Committee.

The ceremony was graced by Mr. Bhushan Gagrani, Municipal Commissioner at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), who attended as Chief Guest.

Several senior BMC officials, including Dr. Vipin Sharma, Additional Commissioner; Mr. Sharad Ughade, Deputy Municipal Commissioner; and Dr. Sangeeta Ravat, Dean of KEM Hospital, were also present at the event.

The new facility is designed to deliver world-class injury management and rehabilitation for athletes, helping them recover faster, regain peak performance, and prepare for national and international competitions.

With the capacity to rehabilitate over 1,000 athletes and facilitate more than 500 specialized surgeries each year, the centre is set to become one of the most comprehensive rehabilitation hubs in western India’s public healthcare network.

Under the leadership of Dr. Roshan Wade, sports specialist and additional professor at the Department of Orthopaedics, the centre will provide holistic, multidisciplinary care.

It will bring together expert surgeons, therapists, and nutritionists to ensure integrated support for every stage of recovery.

Facilities within the centre include a 20-bedded ward, a modern operation theatre complex with three fully equipped operating rooms, and ICU-supported postoperative care units.

A dedicated rehabilitation area has also been established to offer long-term physical therapy and recovery assistance.

Equipped with advanced technologies such as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, underwater and zero-gravity treadmills, virtual reality–based rehabilitation systems, and a specialized gait laboratory, the centre reflects the latest innovations in sports medicine.

The outpatient department (OPD) complex includes dedicated consultation rooms, in-house radiography, X-ray and scannogram facilities, as well as a range of interventional therapies like Tecar, laser, ultrasonic, shockwave, and electrotherapy.

Through The BKT Foundation, the company has invested approximately INR 20 crores (USD 2.25 million) in establishing the centre.

It has also entered a multi-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with equipment suppliers to ensure long-term maintenance and infrastructure support.

This strategic partnership underscores BKT Foundation’s ongoing mission to strengthen healthcare access, enhance medical infrastructure, and empower communities across India.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Arvind Poddar emphasized that BKT’s philosophy of “Growing Together” extends beyond words and into action.

He stated that progress becomes meaningful when communities advance collectively, and this centre aims to make world-class treatment available to every athlete.

He expressed confidence that the new facility will help sportspersons recover and return stronger to competition.

Mrs. Vijaylaxmi Poddar, who has been driving this initiative as part of her long-held vision, described the project as a reflection of BKT’s core values—Care, Dignity, Accessibility, and Empowerment.

She noted that the objective was to create an environment that makes healing dignified and inclusive, ensuring every athlete feels supported throughout recovery.

By investing in this initiative, BKT reinforces its long-term commitment to accessible and high-quality healthcare.

The collaboration between BKT Foundation, KEM Hospital, and BMC represents a milestone in expanding advanced sports rehabilitation services within the public healthcare sector, supporting India’s growing base of athletes and nurturing the nation’s sporting potential.