Chandigarh: In a significant boost to the city’s healthcare infrastructure, a 50-bed critical care hospital is set to be established in Manimajra, Chandigarh, under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). The project has received a budget sanction of ₹24 crore from the Union Government, along with a 2-acre land allotment by the UT Administration.
Hospital Approved Under Vision for Resilient Healthcare
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare approved the facility in January 2022 as part of its broader aim to create resilient and responsive healthcare systems. A senior official told Tribune India, “This initiative is part of the Government of India’s vision to strengthen critical care services nationwide.”
Land Allotment Finalised in Manimajra
Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria recently gave the green light for land allocation in Pocket 14 of Manimajra. The UT Estate Department has earmarked the site—strategically located along a 200-foot-wide road near the IT Park—and formally handed it over to the Health Department.
The site is allotted under Clause 5 of the Chandigarh Scheme 2005, specifically for leasehold land to public bodies. The ownership will remain with the Chandigarh Administration, while the Health Department will exclusively use the land for the construction of the critical care block, as recommended by the Chief Architect.
Healthcare Gaps in Manimajra to Be Addressed
Manimajra, along with nearby densely populated areas like Mauli Jagran, rehabilitation colonies, and the IT Park, has long lacked access to advanced healthcare services. The only major facility in the area is a 100-bed sub-district hospital, which struggles to meet the region’s growing demand for critical care.
Rs 23.75 Crore Already Sanctioned; Work to Begin Soon
According to a Health Department official, Rs 23.75 crore of the ₹24 crore budget has already been released, and construction is expected to begin shortly.
PM-ABHIM: A Nationwide Push for Public Health Resilience
Launched under the Union Budget 2021-22, the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) aims to close critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure, disease surveillance, and public health research across urban and rural India.
The mission is a core part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Package for Health, announced in May 2020, and represents the largest investment in public health infrastructure since 2005.
Massive Financial Outlay for Health System Upgrade
For the 2021–22 to 2025–26 period, PM-ABHIM has a total financial outlay of ₹64,180 crore, including:
- ₹54,204.78 crore for Centrally Sponsored Scheme components
- ₹9,339.78 crore for Central Sector components, including Monitoring & Evaluation (ME) and Programme Management Unit (PMU) expenses
Collaboration Between Centre and UT Lauded
Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, called the project a testament to Centre-UT collaboration in strengthening healthcare post-COVID.
“The project underscores the government’s commitment to accessible and high-quality critical care services at the grassroots level,” Kataria stated to The Tribune.
