MRI scanners are among the most expensive diagnostic machines used to detect health conditions with high clarity. Typically made by multinational firms in advanced countries, these systems are priced roughly between ₹8 crore and ₹15 crore.
In India, fewer than 5,000 MRI machines are currently in use, and they are largely concentrated in big hospitals. Smaller and mid-sized hospitals often cannot afford such high-cost equipment, limiting access to advanced diagnostics.
To address this gap, Indian engineer Arjun Arunachalam developed a new MRI scanner through his startup, Voxelgrids. He said the device can be built at lower cost than Western systems, which could also bring down scan charges.
As news of the project spread, a multinational company approached the startup for a partnership and investment. Arunachalam said he declined the offer despite facing severe financial pressure.
He said Tata Trusts, led by Ratan Tata, first extended support, followed by Sridhar Vembu’s Zoho, helping the company avoid being drawn into a multinational firm’s control. Arunachalam added that the new system is designed to reduce MRI scan costs by about 70% and improve access to diagnostics across the country, while also addressing concerns such as limited availability of spare parts and service engineers for imported machines.
