HC orders water supply to PGI- Neurosciences Centre left idle since completion

Chandigarh: The 300-bed Advanced Neurosciences Centre at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh-including a 36-bed neurosurgery ICU, has remained non-operational since its completion in September 2024 due to the absence of a water supply. In a bid to resolve the months-long impasse, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has now directed the Municipal Corporation to provide a temporary water connection within three working days.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the proposal to create 14 new senior resident posts at the neurology department of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI), Chandigarh, has been approved. The aim is to manage the increasing patient load and introduce new services at the institute.

Also Read: PGI Chandigarh to expand Neurology Department with creation of 14 new resident doctor posts

According to Tribune India, it was added that the MC refused to provide the connection, citing a pending billing dispute with the contractor, Deepak Builders, who constructed the building. It demanded a no-objection certificate (NOC) before issuing the necessary approvals. In a related petition, the builder contended that an earlier petition on the same issue had led to the matter being referred to the Dispute Redressal Committee, where proceedings were still pending.

Furthermore, the contractor raised another ongoing dispute involving the 150-bed critical care block at PGIMER, for which a tertiary water connection was required to meet construction and green building certification standards.

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After reviewing the contentions and documents, the Bench instructed the MC to process the tertiary water connection matter promptly once formalities were completed.

According to the news reports, the court considered all pending issues and ordered the MC to grant a temporary water connection within three working days to the Advanced Neurosciences Centre. The court also instructed the contractor to provide a bank guarantee equivalent to one-third of the amount claimed by the MC. This would allow the Dispute Redressal Committee to resolve the issue in a time-bound manner, without blocking the functioning of a vital public health facility.