Delhi HC flags delay in Lok Nayak Hospital revamp, directs Govt to expedite

Expressing concern over the prolonged delay, a bench comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Manmeet P.S. Arora recently directed the Delhi government to fast-track the pending work and ensure that the long-delayed revamp is brought to a conclusion without further lapse.

According to The Times of India, the court said, "As a substantial amount of expenditure of more than Rs 550 crore was already made in this project, the said hospital ought to be completed at the earliest so that it can be made operational," the court observed. The High Court was reviewing the progress of the hospital. This two-judge bench of the Delhi High Court was reviewing the progress of incomplete or under-construction hospitals in the city. During this review, the court said, "One of the main projects where there is a lack of clarity is Lok Nayak Hospital, which is stated to be partially constructed."

Responding to a query from the High Court, Delhi government's Health Secretary Nikhil Kumar stated that the new block for Medicine, Maternity, and Pediatric centres at Lok Nayak Hospital had been constructed to a certain extent, but work had stalled due to budget constraints and other reasons. The court then ordered a meeting of PWD and Health Department officials to be convened immediately to decide on resuming the work and requested a status report.

The case is related to a suo motu petition initiated in 2017 after allegations regarding the lack of critical care facilities in government hospitals. At that time, the court had directed the AIIMS Director to implement the recommendations of the Dr. SK Sarin Committee. The committee had highlighted several shortcomings in the healthcare system, such as vacant positions, a shortage of faculty, and infrastructure problems.

The new block of Lok Nayak Hospital, being constructed by the PWD, was approved in November 2020. It was planned to have 22 floors, 1,570 beds, and parking for approximately 400 vehicles. Construction was supposed to be completed within 30 months, but work stopped at the end of 2023. According to government records, 64% of the work had been completed.

Later, the PWD cited cost escalation as the reason for the delay. The initial project cost was Rs. 465 crore, which increased to Rs. 1,135 crore, a rise of more than 140%. The hospital's modern infrastructure requirements are not fulfilled due to the stalled project, which was meant to boost capacity to over 3,500 beds to meet growing healthcare demands. A 2024 proposal by the lieutenant governor to involve the Central Vigilance Commission in a detailed examination is still pending inquiry.