In a significant development for healthcare infrastructure in Haryana, the state government has announced plans to construct a new district civil hospital in Hisar. The decision comes as the existing facility faces expansion restrictions due to its location near a historically protected monument.
ASI Restrictions Prompt Relocation Plan
The need for a new hospital building was highlighted in the Haryana Legislative Assembly during the recent winter session. Hisar MLA Savitri Jindal raised the issue, seeking clarification on whether the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) ban was hindering construction and renovation at the current Maharaja Agrasen District Civil Hospital.
She specifically asked if the government was considering shifting the hospital and inquired about the potential timeline for new construction. The existing hospital is situated barely 70 metres from the historic Gurjari Mahal, a site declared as centrally protected by the ASI. This status prohibits any major expansion or fresh construction on the hospital's current premises.
Minister's Announcement in the Assembly
Responding to the query, Health Minister Aarti Rao confirmed the constraints. She stated that new construction at the old site is indeed not possible because of its proximity to the protected monument. The minister assured the House that while renovation work is currently underway at the existing hospital, all essential medical services remain available to patients.
Minister Rao then made the major announcement: the government has identified a 21-acre plot of land near Airport Chowk on DCM Road for the new district civil hospital. She informed the assembly that the process of formally transferring this land to the health department is currently in progress.
A Fresh Start for Healthcare Infrastructure
This move signifies a strategic shift to overcome the architectural and legal limitations posed by the ASI regulations. The new location offers ample space for a modern, expansive healthcare facility that can be designed to meet contemporary medical needs and allow for future growth.
The announcement addresses long-standing concerns about upgrading medical infrastructure in Hisar. While the existing hospital continues to function and receive renovations, the planned 21-acre facility near the airport represents a forward-looking investment in public health for the region's citizens.
