Patna : The much-anticipated super-specialty hospital under construction at Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) is unlikely to open before May, despite significant progress on the seven-storey facility. Built at a cost of Rs 200 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Suraksha Yojana, the hospital was initially slated for completion in 2023 but has been hampered by delays in internal fittings and equipment installation.
The structure of the building has been completed, and work on four floors is reportedly done. However, internal finishing, oxygen pipeline installation, and fire safety measures remain incomplete. Equipment worth approximately Rs 70 crore, including advanced diagnostic and surgical machinery, has been procured but remains undelivered due to lack of storage space within the unfinished facility.
Once operational, the hospital will house 200 beds and offer advanced treatment in eight departments, including neurology, nephrology, urology, endocrinology and haematology. It will also feature six state-of-the-art operating theatres, along with free MRI and emergency CT scan services.
The foundation stone for the hospital was laid in 2019, with completion originally targeted for 2023. Officials attribute delays to the Covid-19 pandemic, road-related challenges, and logistical issues in sourcing equipment.
CPWD, the central agency responsible for construction, has now been given a final deadline of May 30 to hand over the completed facility. Dr Vidyapati Chaudhary, principal of PMCH, confirmed that CPWD officials have been repeatedly urged to expedite work. “They’ve assured us of completion by May 30. We will have to wait and see if the deadline is met,” he said.
