Tripura IGM Hospital's heritage building to undergo retrofitting works
Agartala: In a significant move aimed at preserving a key piece of Tripura's medical history while modernizing healthcare infrastructure, Chief Minister Manik Saha has announced the retrofitting of the state’s 151-year-old heritage building of Indira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) Hospital.
The historic facility, known for its long-standing role in providing medical care to the people of Tripura, is set to undergo a major upgrade to enhance its functionality and safety.
According to the Times of India, the Chief Minister said,“The state government has been running Govt Dental College and Nursing College beside the hospital building on the same premise and cleared the front view of the old building. The original building of IGM is one of the heritage constructions of Tripura, which the government plans to preserve”.
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Dr Saha has instructed health officials to begin retrofitting the IGM Hospital’s heritage building. This follows previous retrofitting projects for historic sites in Tripura, including Ujjayanta Palace, Umakanta Academy, and MBB College in Agartala. Work is also underway for the old Raj Bhawan – Pushpadanta Palace, with additional historic buildings across the state planned for similar preservation efforts.
IGM Hospital, originally founded in 1873 by Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya Bahadur with just 30 beds, holds a storied past. British Government initiated this construction in the early 1900s. The hospital, initially named Victoria Memorial Hospital in honour of Queen Victoria, saw its capacity expanded by Tripura’s then-king, Radha Kishore Manikya. Under his expansion, the facility increased to 54 beds for general patients and 10 beds for those with contagious diseases.
The building originally bore an inscription marking its inauguration by Sir John Woodburn, the British Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, in 1904. Renamed in 1990 to honour former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, it has since transformed into a modern medical facility with 608 beds. Today, it serves between 1,200 and 1,500 outpatients daily and plays a crucial role in supporting several academic institutions.
This restoration is vital for preserving the architectural integrity of the building, which is a key symbol of Tripura's historical and medical heritage. Health department officials stressed that renovating the heritage structure is essential for maintaining Tripura's cultural legacy. They highlighted that this effort will enable the hospital to continue providing modern healthcare services while honouring its historical significance.
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