Gurugram's 600-bed Civil Hospital project stalled, Minister alleges political interference

Gurugram: The proposed 600-bed civil hospital in Gurugram’s Civil Lines, a Rs 1,054-crore project aimed at providing affordable healthcare to residents, remains stalled, with Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao on Sunday alleging that “political machinations” were behind the delay.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that regarding the long-pending Civil Lines Hospital project, Haryana's Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr Manish Bansal, said on Tuesday that the building plans for the new facility have been approved, and construction work is expected to begin soon.

Also Read:Gurugram Civil Lines Hospital construction to begin soon: Haryana DGHS

According to the news reports, Rao said the state government had already sanctioned Rs 70 crore to the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) for the project, but construction work was yet to begin. The old Civil Hospital building at the site was demolished in 2021 to pave the way for the new facility.

Speaking at a public meeting in Daulatabad, Rao said she learnt about the latest developments during a recent review of infrastructure projects in Gurugram chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. According to her, it was reported during the meeting that the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC), the agency entrusted with executing the project, could not take it up.

Rao alleged that attempts were being made to politicise the matter and delay the hospital’s construction, although she did not name anyone responsible.

Addressing a public meeting in Daultabad, Rao said, “The project is already delayed and after several efforts, the hospital design was revised, and it was decided that the HSIIDC would execute the project. The health department has already transferred ₹70 crore to HSIIDC, but now it is being said that this agency will not be able to execute the project,” reports Hindustan Times.

The health minister expressed concern over the considerable time lost due to repeated changes in the agency responsible for executing the hospital project.

Initially, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) was entrusted with the work, before responsibility was transferred to the Haryana Public Works Department (PWD). The project was subsequently handed over to HSIIDC, raising fresh questions about when construction would finally begin.

According to Hindustan Times, “The proposed 600-bed hospital will provide healthcare to needy people in the city who cannot afford private treatment. I will ensure that the project is executed and does not get stuck further,” she said.

Apart from raising concerns over the delayed Civil Lines hospital, Rao on Sunday inaugurated and launched healthcare facilities in Daulatabad, Siddhrawali and Rathivas to improve access to medical services in the region.

In Daulatabad, the health department has upgraded the existing primary health centre (PHC) into a 30-bed community health centre (CHC), expanding its capacity to provide healthcare services to local residents.

The new PHC in Siddhrawali has become operational, and in Rathivas, a sub-health centre built at a cost of Rs 55.5 lakh was also launched.

Also Read:Haryana appoints HSIIDC to set up Rs 1,054 crore Civil Hospital