In Ahmedabad, a significant issue has come to light regarding illegal construction at LG Hospital. Despite not having the required permissions, an eight-storey building has been erected. This situation raises questions about the enforcement of building regulations in the city.
The Municipal Town Planning Department is responsible for granting construction permits. However, it appears that these rules are not being applied uniformly. While the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) takes action against illegal constructions, reports suggest that the same rigorous enforcement does not extend to all cases.
Specifically, LG Hospital, located in the Maninagar area, has constructed this eight-storey building without the necessary approvals. The AMC had previously decided to demolish the old, dilapidated structure of the hospital and replace it with a new building, allocating a budget of ₹160 crore for this project. Surprisingly, costs have escalated to nearly ₹200 crore, yet the hospital continues to operate without the required construction permits.
There are serious concerns regarding the legality of the construction. The higher officials of the AMC, contractors, and consultants are allegedly involved in these activities, leading to speculation about corruption and negligence in following legal protocols.
Plans for the LG Hospital include a cellar, ground floor, and nine additional storeys. The overall Floor Space Index (FSI) for this building is set at 1,11,740 square metres. However, the design presented shows a parking requirement of 3,883 square metres, whereas only 3,483 square metres is reportedly available. This discrepancy indicates that the project is falling short of parking requirements by approximately 400 square metres.
Moreover, with the construction of a ninth floor now underway, the demand for parking space will only increase. The town planning department has raised concerns about these issues several times, yet there has been no satisfactory response from the consultants involved, nor have they submitted revised plans.
The situation is compounded by the fact that the zoning details and site conditions have not been adequately addressed. Although the construction of the LG Hospital is nearing completion, it still lacks the necessary construction permit, leading to fears that it may face a fate similar to that of Shardaben Hospital.
Shardaben Hospital is also undergoing significant renovations, with plans to construct a six-storey building. This project is expected to cost around ₹254 crore. Together, both hospitals are set to add a total of 1,700 new beds to the healthcare system in Ahmedabad, which is a much-needed development given the growing population.
Both LG and Shardaben Hospitals will feature modern facilities. LG Hospital will include 700 general beds and 80 ICU beds, while Shardaben will have 840 general beds and 80 ICU beds, along with 15 operation theatres and 19 private wards. The goal is to complete these projects by 2026.
Additionally, a recruitment drive for doctors, nurses, and other medical staff will take place across various specialties at both hospitals. This expansion is crucial as the demand for healthcare services continues to rise in the region.
The illegal construction at LG Hospital raises critical questions about accountability within the AMC and adherence to building regulations. The residents of Ahmedabad hope for a swift resolution to ensure that such practices do not continue unchecked, jeopardizing public safety and trust in local governance.