The Public Works Department in Delhi has formally requested an additional Rs 627 crore from the Delhi government. This extra funding aims to complete four hospital projects that have faced significant delays. Officials confirmed the request on Wednesday, attributing the need for more money to cost escalation caused by these delays.
Project Details and Current Status
These four hospital projects are located at Jwalapuri, Madipur, Hastsal, and Siraspur. Once fully operational, they are expected to add a substantial 3,237 beds to Delhi's healthcare infrastructure. The projects received initial approval back in 2019 under the previous AAP government's administration. Construction activities finally commenced in August 2020.
Original Budget and Revised Costs
Originally, officials projected completion by 2022-23 with a total budget of Rs 1,446.77 crore. According to the latest figures, the department has already spent Rs 978.16 crore from the sanctioned amount. The new request for Rs 627 crore represents a significant increase over the original planned expenditure.
Progress Reports on Individual Hospitals
An official document provides specific updates on each hospital's construction progress:
- Siraspur Hospital (North Delhi): Work is 80% complete. Authorities expect to finish construction by July 2026.
- Hastsal Hospital (West Delhi): Construction stands at 65% completion. The likely finish date is September 2026.
- Madipur and Jwalapuri Hospitals (Both in West Delhi): Both projects are 75% complete. Officials anticipate they will be ready by July 2026.
Minister's Response and Accountability Measures
The PWD minister addressed questions about the prolonged delays directly. He expressed strong disapproval, stating that nearly Rs 1,000 crore of public money has been spent without delivering the promised hospitals. The minister characterized this situation as a complete breakdown of accountability in the past.
He announced that the government has already initiated legal action and fixed responsibility for the delays. Moving forward, the PWD has received clear instructions to complete all remaining work. The minister emphasized that this completion must happen in a transparent and time-bound manner, with strict quality control measures in place.
Highlighting the critical importance of these facilities, the minister stressed that hospitals are not merely buildings. He described them as essential lifelines for the community, making such extensive delays completely unacceptable. The department is now focused on ensuring these vital projects reach completion without further setbacks.
