The long-pending Civil Lines hospital project in Gurgaon is set to move forward as building plans have been approved. Haryana director general of health services Dr Manish Bansal on Tuesday announced that construction is expected to begin soon. “The land is available and the building plans and map have already been approved. Now that the transition from the earlier plan of developing a 750-bed facility is finalised, the executive agency will be directed to begin construction,” Bansal told TOI.
Project Background and Delays
The project has remained stalled for years after the old building was demolished for reconstruction in 2019. This delay raised concerns over inadequate government healthcare infrastructure in the city. With Gurgaon witnessing rapid population growth over the past decade, the patient load at government hospitals has increased significantly. More than 2,000 patients visit the outpatient department (OPD) at the Sector 10 Civil Hospital daily, making it the city’s only major operational government hospital.
Inspection and Review of Health Facilities
Bansal was in Gurgaon as part of a surprise inspection of Civil Hospital in Sector 10 and a review of health facilities in Gurgaon, Palwal, and Nuh districts. During the visit, officials inspected the emergency ward, laboratories, OPDs, intensive care unit (ICU) facilities, and labour room services at the Sector 10 hospital. Bansal said the unannounced visit was aimed at assessing the hospital’s functioning under normal conditions and identifying gaps in patient care.
“We met specialists and reviewed the issues they are facing. The focus is to strengthen services, reduce unnecessary referrals, and ensure patients receive maximum treatment facilities at government hospitals,” he said. Officials reported that several services at the hospital, including laboratory facilities, X-ray services, emergency care, and ICU operations, were functioning satisfactorily. While no major misconduct or complaint was found against hospital staff, Bansal noted some shortcomings requiring corrective measures, which were communicated to officials.
Concerns Over Private Ambulances
Bansal also raised concerns over the presence of private ambulances and autorickshaws near the emergency ward, alleging that some patients were being diverted to private hospitals. “We have asked officials to take strict action as private ambulances and autorickshaws stationed near the emergency ward persuade patients to shift to private hospitals by claiming adequate treatment facilities are unavailable here,” he said.
Future Plans
Bansal said the government is also working to expedite other healthcare infrastructure projects across the state. The approval of the Civil Lines hospital marks a significant step toward improving public healthcare in Gurgaon.
