The Chhattisgarh High Court has directed an urgent inspection of the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences in Bilaspur to evaluate its emergency preparedness and campus accessibility, following concerns raised in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
Court-Appointed Commissioners to Submit Report by May 5
The order was issued on April 8 by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agarwal. The court has appointed Commissioners to assess the current condition of the hospital and submit a detailed report before the next hearing scheduled for May 5.
Traffic Congestion and Narrow Access Roads Raise Red Flags
During the hearing, the bench flagged serious concerns about the hospital’s location in a congested area. It noted that narrow approach roads, coupled with heavy traffic, could severely hamper emergency response. The court observed that haphazard parking near the hospital’s boundary wall and main gate could obstruct the movement of critical services like ambulances and fire tenders.
Authorities Directed to Clear Encroachments and Ensure Free Movement
The court has instructed key district authorities—including the Collector, Municipal Commissioner, and Superintendent of Police—to ensure that areas surrounding the hospital remain free from encroachments and unauthorized parking. This step is aimed at maintaining unobstructed access for emergency vehicles at all times.
Equipment Procurement Status Also Reviewed
In addition to infrastructure concerns, the court reviewed the status of medical equipment procurement at CIMS. According to an affidavit submitted by the Managing Director of the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation on April 7, equipment from 10 out of 13 prioritized categories has already been supplied to the hospital as of April 6, 2026.
For nine categories—including temporary pacemakers, fibre-optic bronchoscopes, and ultrasound machines—the procurement process is currently in the technical evaluation stage.
PIL Sparks Focus on Hospital Readiness
The directive comes in response to a PIL questioning the operational readiness and accessibility of the state-run medical institute. The High Court’s intervention underscores the importance of ensuring both infrastructure readiness and seamless emergency response at key public healthcare facilities.
