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‘Delays led to cost escalation’: PWD seeks Rs 600 crore more for 4 hospital projects
As per an official document, 80% of work on the Siraspur hospital in North Delhi is done so far and it is expected to be completed by July. Work on Hastal hospital in West Delhi is 65% done and it is likely to be completed by September.
Highlighting that hospitals are not just buildings, but lifelines, the minister said that such delays are unacceptable. “The PWD has been given clear instructions to complete all remaining work ensuring strict quality control,” he added.
The Public Works Department (PWD) has sought an additional fund worth Rs 627 crore from the Delhi government to complete four hospital projects — at Jwalapuri, Madipur, Hastsal and Siraspur — that were delayed, thereby leading to a cost escalation, said officials on Wednesday. Once completed, the four hospitals are likely to add a total of 3,237 beds.
According to a senior government official, the projects were approved in 2019 during the previous AAP government’s tenure and construction began in August 2020. The official said the projects were expected to be completed by 2022–23 at a cost of Rs 1,446.77 crore.
Of the total sanctioned amount, the department had spent Rs 978.16 crore, according to officials.
As per an official document, 80% of work on the Siraspur hospital in North Delhi is done so far and it is expected to be completed by July. Work on Hastal hospital in West Delhi is 65% done and it is likely to be completed by September.
Work on the hospitals in Madipur and Jwalapuri — both in West Delhi — is 75% complete and is likely to be ready by July this year.
Questioned about the delays, the PWD minister said, “Nearly Rs 1,000 crore of public money was spent, yet hospitals were not delivered. This reflects a complete breakdown of accountability in the past. We have initiated legal action, fixed responsibility, and now the PWD will complete these projects in a transparent and time-bound manner.”
Highlighting that hospitals are not just buildings, but lifelines, the minister said that such delays are unacceptable. “The PWD has been given clear instructions to complete all remaining work ensuring strict quality control,” he added.
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