Varanasi Govt Ayurveda Hospital to get new building under Rs 8 crore revamp

Varanasi: The decades-old Government Ayurveda Hospital at Kabirchaura in Varanasi is set for a complete transformation, with authorities deciding to demolish the existing dilapidated structure and construct a new hospital at an estimated cost of Rs 8 crore.

The decision comes after a technical assessment found that repairing the ageing building was neither feasible nor safe. 

The Ayurveda Department has submitted a revised proposal of approximately Rs 8 crore to the Uttar Pradesh government for approval. Construction is expected to begin after receiving the necessary clearance. The new building is planned to provide modern healthcare infrastructure and improved facilities for patients, doctors and hospital staff, reports Live Hindustan.

The Kabirchaura Ayurveda Hospital is among the oldest Ayurveda healthcare centres in Varanasi. However, the existing structure has deteriorated over time, with cracks appearing on walls and plaster falling from ceilings at several places. The condition worsens during the rainy season, creating safety concerns for patients and healthcare workers.

Initially, the department had planned renovation work for the hospital building with an estimated cost of around Rs 1 crore. The work was assigned to the Construction and Design Services (C&DS) wing of Jal Nigam. However, after a technical inspection, the agency expressed its inability to undertake the renovation and recommended complete reconstruction of the building.

Following this, the Ayurveda Department conducted another technical review, which concluded that reconstructing the hospital would be a safer and more practical option than repairing the old structure. Based on the assessment, a revised construction proposal was prepared and submitted to the government.

The proposed facility will feature upgraded healthcare facilities including improved outpatient services, a Panchakarma unit, Ayurveda treatment rooms, a medicine distribution centre, a waiting area, a laboratory, doctors’ chambers, accessibility facilities for persons with disabilities and fire safety arrangements.

Due to the deteriorating condition of the existing building, patient footfall at the hospital has gradually declined, affecting healthcare services. Currently, the facility receives around 20 to 25 patients daily, officials said.

Dr Arvind Kumar Singh, Regional Ayurveda and Unani Officer, said the earlier agency withdrew from the renovation project citing budget-related issues and suggested that the building required complete reconstruction. He added that the department has therefore submitted the Rs 8 crore proposal for a new facility.