Hospital superintendent’s temple ritual to seek divine clearance sparks debate; 300 beds at risk as construction delays continue
Ahmedabad: The ambitious ₹588-crore redevelopment project of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital is facing a major setback due to an ongoing standoff over the relocation of a decades-old temple situated within the hospital premises. A viral video showing hospital superintendent Dr. Rakesh Joshi performing a ritual at the Khodiyar Mata temple has further intensified public debate, blending issues of faith and infrastructure.
Located on the sprawling 108-acre Medicity campus, the Khodiyar Mata shrine sits on land marked for demolition under a modernization project launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 27. The proposed 1,800-bed hospital block is designed to significantly increase ICU and OPD capacity, reduce waiting times, and modernize healthcare services.
The redevelopment plan involves clearing 1.60 lakh square meters, including the old trauma center, post-mortem building, and administration block — all to make way for a 10-storey facility featuring 150 ICU beds, a 50-bed isolation ward, modular OTs, and parking for over 1,600 vehicles.
However, the presence of the temple, said to predate Indian independence, has stalled progress. Hospital officials warn the delay could cost them 300 crucial beds. The temple’s priest, Sandeep Thakurbhai Dave, insists that divine permission for relocation has been denied multiple times through rituals. “This temple was here even before the hospital. When it was once removed in the 1950s, no construction succeeded until it was restored,” Dave claimed.
Dr. Joshi defended his participation in the ritual, saying it was a diplomatic step to engage with temple authorities and work toward a consensual solution. “I explained the importance of the redevelopment project and the benefits for poor patients. But the temple representatives have refused relocation. Now, higher officials will take the call,” he told the Indian Express.
The temple continues to draw steady footfall from hospital visitors and locals. Recently repainted, it remains a spiritual anchor for many on campus. The inner sanctum, lined with blue tiles and filled with idols of the deity, has been left untouched in adherence to what devotees describe as “Mataji’s will.”
The standoff underscores a broader dilemma in India’s infrastructure development — the delicate balance between modern public utility expansion and deeply rooted religious sentiment. While older buildings are being evacuated and temporary arrangements are in place for departments like laboratories and central stores, the fate of the redevelopment hinges on a resolution regarding the temple’s relocation.
As per NHA data and recent reports, the delay in the project could impact healthcare delivery for thousands. Meanwhile, officials are waiting for further instructions, as the debate over divine consent continues.
