Will Dwarka get its promised hospital?

In November 2007, almost a decade after Dwarka— Asia’s largest sub-city and home to over five lakh people —came into existence, Chief Minister Delhi Sheila Dikshit announced a multi-specialty 750-bedded hospital for the area.

In November 2007, almost a decade after Dwarka— Asia’s largest sub-city and home to over five lakh people —came into existence, Chief Minister Delhi Sheila Dikshit announced a multi-specialty 750-bedded hospital for the area.

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Estimated at Rs. 350 crore, the hospital was to be built on 15 acres of land in Dwarka in three years. The hospital was christened Bharat Ratna Indira Gandhi Hospital.

It is been over two years since the announcement and not a brick has been laid.

In 2008, former Delhi health minister, Yoganand Shastri had laid the foundation stone—but to date the land lies vacant.

In its 12 years of its existence, Dwarka is still waiting to get a government hospital.

In November 2009, the Dwarka residents’ forum had sought a response for the delay through an RTI query from the health and family welfare (H&FW) ministry.

Deputy secretary H.R. Sharma replied: “The revised drawing for the 750-bedded hospital was submitted to DDA on August 8, 2008. The DDA took a long time in completing the initial scrutiny and

forwarded the drawings to Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) and Chief Fire Officer (CFO) on April 6, 2009.”

Both the bodies are yet to approve the drawings.

The tenders will be recalled after getting approval from DUAC, CFO and DDA.

Health Minister Kiran Walia said the drawings had got necessary clearances, barring the DDA. “DDA has promised to give us the final clearance in a week. The only clearance awaited was from the environment committee, which was obtained on January 15,” she said.

“Most part of the payment had been made to the PWD, who will independently carry out the work. No private players will be invited.”