Kolkata is set for a significant upgrade in its private healthcare infrastructure, with plans to add approximately 1,300 new hospital beds across several major facilities by the year 2026. This expansion wave involves key players like Ruby General Hospital, Disha Hospital, Charnock Hospital, Woodlands Multispecialty Hospital, Belle Vue, and BP Poddar Hospital, aiming to enhance specialised care and accessibility for patients.
Major Hospital Expansions and New Units
Woodlands Multispecialty Hospital is launching a major new unit on its existing premises. CEO Rupak Barua announced a 200-bed multispecialty facility, with partial operations starting in 2026. This expansion will bring the hospital's total capacity to 365 beds. The new unit will feature a comprehensive cancer centre with dedicated beds and advanced radiotherapy, a transplant unit including liver transplants, and enhanced services in neurology, cardiology, and neuro-interventional procedures. Outpatient clinical areas will also be increased.
Disha Hospitals is preparing to open a new multispeciality hospital in New Town by mid-2026, starting with 250 beds. Chairman Debasish Bhattacharya stated that the facility will eventually scale up to 650 beds, covering all major specialities. A key focus will be oncology, offering full support with radiology and chemotherapy under one roof. The hospital has committed to providing treatment at reasonable costs and will accept Swasthya Sathi health cards.
On Rabindra Sarani, Charnock Hospital is nearing the completion of its new unit, Charnock Lohia Hospital, housed in a renovated heritage structure. Managing Director Prashant Sharma confirmed the 250-bed facility, inaugurated in 2024, is set to be operational by February-March 2025, representing a total new investment of around Rs 300 crore.
Specialised Services and Enhanced Facilities
Other hospitals are also significantly boosting their specialised capabilities. Ruby General Hospital will add 77 new critical-care beds and 65 more oncology beds by February 2025. General Manager (Operations) Subhasish Datta also revealed plans to introduce a gamma camera and a dedicated bone marrow transplant unit in January.
BP Poddar Hospital is focusing on holistic oncology services within a dedicated 150-bed unit, backed by 24x7 lab sciences. The hospital is also launching an enhanced 35-bed Mother & Child Care Unit for comprehensive maternity and neonatal services and a planned 25-bed dialysis unit. Group Adviser Supriyo Chakrabarty mentioned a major expansion for their eye hospital, including a 35-bed dedicated unit. The Cosmetic Dental Clinic will offer more procedures, and new 'Maharaja Suites' will provide premium comfort and personalised care.
Adding to the New Town healthcare cluster, Belle Vue Hospital CEO P Tondon confirmed plans to inaugurate a 160-bed hospital there in 2026.
Impact on Kolkata's Healthcare Landscape
This coordinated expansion by Kolkata's leading private hospitals marks a transformative phase for the city's medical infrastructure. The influx of over a thousand new beds, coupled with state-of-the-art facilities in oncology, transplants, and critical care, promises to reduce patient wait times and improve access to advanced treatments. The emphasis on comprehensive care under one roof and the acceptance of schemes like Swasthya Sathi also point towards a move to make quality healthcare more accessible and affordable for a broader segment of Kolkata's population.
