Plea in Delhi HC over delay in opening Rs 400 crore Super Speciality Block at RML Hospital
New Delhi: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking directions to the Union Government and the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS)-Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital to immediately make the newly constructed Super Speciality Block (SSB) operational, alleging that the facility has remained non-functional despite completion of substantial infrastructure at a cost of around Rs 400 crore.
According to an ANI report, the petition, filed by Social Jurist, A Civil Rights Group, through advocates Ashok Agarwal and Kumar Utkarsh, contends that the prolonged delay in commissioning the block has deprived thousands of patients of access to specialised healthcare facilities and additional bed capacity while resulting in wastage of public funds.
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According to the PIL, the Super Speciality Block was conceived to significantly strengthen healthcare infrastructure at RML Hospital by increasing its bed strength from about 1,532 to 2,198 beds, adding nearly 666 beds, besides providing 18 operation theatres, advanced diagnostic facilities and a dedicated Oncology Department equipped with a PET-CT facility.
The petitioner submitted that although the infrastructure has been substantially completed, the block has not been made operational due to pending regulatory and administrative clearances.
The petition further alleges that the delay has resulted in continued non-utilisation of healthcare infrastructure created from taxpayers' money, even as public hospitals continue to face overcrowding, shortage of beds and increasing demand for specialised treatment. It argues that every day of delay adversely impacts patients who depend on government hospitals for affordable healthcare.
Referring to a Times of India report published on April 10, 2026, the petitioner states that the Super Speciality Block has remained non-operational for over a year despite the expenditure incurred on the project. The PIL further states that a representation was submitted to the authorities on June 22, 2026, requesting immediate removal of deficiencies and completion of all statutory formalities, but alleges that no effective action has followed, reports ANI.
The petition contends that the inaction violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution by denying timely access to healthcare and by leaving a major public healthcare facility idle despite substantial public investment. It also relies on the Supreme Court's decision in Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity v. State of West Bengal, which recognised the State's constitutional obligation to provide adequate medical facilities to citizens.
Among its prayers, the PIL seeks directions to the respondents to remove all regulatory deficiencies, obtain the Completion Certificate, No Objection Certificates and other statutory approvals, and make the Super Speciality Block fully operational within a time-bound period. It also seeks a direction for immediate commencement of healthcare services in the block along with deployment of the required medical, nursing, technical and support staff so that the additional healthcare infrastructure can be utilised without further delay.
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