BKT unveils state-of-the-art Sports Injury and Rehabilitation Centre at KEM Hospital, Mumbai

Balkrishna Industries (BKT), a global leader in the Off-Highway Tyre (OHT) industry, through its CSR arm, The BKT Foundation, has partnered with King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, Mumbai, to establish a state-of-the-art Sports Injury and Rehabilitation Centre, spanning over 15000 sq feet within the hospital premises. This landmark initiative marks a major advancement in public healthcare and provides advanced rehabilitation, demonstrating BKT’s commitment to supporting India’s rapidly evolving sports ecosystem.

The center has been inaugurated on 14 December 2025, by Arvind Poddar, Chairman and Managing Director, BKT and Vijayalaxmi Poddar, Chairperson, BKT-CSR committee. The Chief Guest at the event was Bhushan Gagrani, Municipal Commissioner at Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), with the presence of other senior office bearers at BMC, namely, Dr. Vipin Sharma, Additional Commissioner, Sharad Ughade, Deputy Municipal Commissioner as well as Dr. Sangeeta Ravat, Dean at KEM Hospital.

The newly opened center is expected to provide world class rehabilitation services to athletes, enabling faster recovery, improved performance, and enhanced readiness for national and international competition. With the capacity to assist over 1000 athletes annually and enable more than 500 specialized surgeries. It will stand among one of the western India’s most comprehensive rehabilitation hubs in the public healthcare system.

The centre will be spearheaded by Dr. Roshan Wade, sports specialist & additional professor at the Department of Orthopaedics, along with his team. It offers holistic care and brings together a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, therapists and nutritionists under one roof.

Facilities include a 20-bedded ward, a modern operation theatre complex with three fully equipped operating rooms, ICU-supported postoperative care, and a comprehensive rehabilitation unit. The centre is equipped with advanced technologies such as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, underwater and zero-gravity treadmills, virtual reality–based rehabilitation systems, and a dedicated gait laboratory. The OPD complex features consultation rooms and in-house radiography, including X-ray and scannogram facilities, along with a range of interventional therapies such as Tecar, laser, ultrasonic, shockwave, and electrotherapy.

Through ‘The BKT Foundation’, BKT has spent around INR 20 crores (US$ 2.25 MN) into building the centre and has entered a multi-year MoU with the equipment suppliers which includes long-term maintenance and infrastructure support. The project also advances BKT Foundation’s larger mission of developing robust healthcare infrastructure for communities and strengthening India’s growing sporting ecosystem.

Highlighting this long-standing vision of equitable healthcare access, Arvind Poddar said, “At BKT, we believe progress truly happens when communities move forward together. ‘Growing Together’ is more than a motto for us. It guides our decisions. By creating this centre with KEM Hospital and the BMC, we want to make world-class treatment accessible to every athlete. We are confident this facility will help many sportspersons return stronger.”

Leading the CSR vision behind this initiative, which has been her dream project, Vijaylaxmi Poddar shared her perspective, “This project reflects the values BKT stands for – Care, Dignity, Accessibility, and Empowerment. Our goal was to create a space where healing is dignified and where every athlete feels supported at every stage of recovery. We want our youth to believe that their dreams are achievable, and we stand with them as they pursue excellence.”

With this initiative, BKT strengthens its long-term commitment to affordable, accessible, high quality and community-centric healthcare. By expanding public access to advanced sports rehabilitation, BKT is not only supporting India’s athletic ecosystem, but also helping build a stronger pipeline of athletes who can compete, perform and thrive on national and international stages. This center stands as a significant step towards a healthier, more resilient sporting future for the nation.