Delhi Government wants Chattarpur hospital on the ridge for ‘serene’ look

In a strange argument, the Delhi government has said construction of a hospital on the ridge at Chattarpur in South Delhi, adjacent to a water body, will make the project look “serene”.

In a strange argument, the Delhi government has said construction of a hospital on the ridge at Chattarpur in South Delhi, adjacent to a water body, will make the project look “serene”.

While the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has failed to confir m who owns the project land or the water body, the site has been fenced and two private guards have been hired to guard it.

Hindustan Times had in September reported that the government plans a 225 bbed hospital on a 7.1-acre ridge patch at Chattarpur and has sent the proposal to the Ridge Management Board (RMB) for clearance.

The project involves widening a dirt track to a 100-feet approach road to the hospital.

The government has admitted that the proposed road runs through the ridge. A water body located close to the project site is also at risk.

Documents accessed by HT quote the RMB chairman, who is also Delhi’s chief secretary, as saying, “…the forest area on the roadside and availability of a water body will make the hospital look serene.”

The government has found the existing road very narrow, not sufficient for the movement of 3,000-4,000 people every day once the hospital is functional.

Project consultant SR Sikka is quoted as saying that the hospital would follow green building norms and there would be extensive plantation within the site.

“The hospital will have a proper waste management plan,” he said.

Sikka has justified the project by saying the hospital is needed as the nearest healthcare facility in the area is 10 km away from the site.

He has said people in Chattarpur, Mehrauli, Vasant Vihar and other nearby areas would benefit.

The RMB at its latest meeting said the water body should not be contaminated because of the project.

The board decided the forest department would provide necessary guidance to the health department to develop a plan to protect the water body.

The RMB chairman said there should be “a complete management plan” for the nearby forest areas and the water body within its catchment area.