A newly constructed 100-bed government hospital in Naubasta, South Kanpur, built at a cost of Rs 45 crore, has remained non-operational for more than a year despite being fully completed, leaving nearly 20 lakh residents without access to a major public healthcare facility. Equipped with modern infrastructure such as an intensive care unit, emergency services, operation theatres and outpatient departments, the hospital building stands ready, but its gates remain locked due to pending administrative approvals and staffing delays.
Officials attribute the prolonged delay to procedural hurdles, particularly the absence of sanctioned manpower and incomplete formalities required for operational handover. Chief Medical Officer Haridutt Nemi said files related to staffing approvals and administrative clearances have been moving between departments, slowing progress. As a result, no doctors, nurses, or support personnel have been appointed, and essential medical equipment has yet to be installed.
For local residents, the delay has had serious consequences. Many families continue to travel long distances to access government healthcare facilities, often losing valuable time during emergencies. A resident, Akash, recounted how his father died of a heart attack while being transported to a faraway hospital, saying timely treatment might have been possible had the Naubasta facility been functioning. With South Kanpur lacking a large public hospital despite its large population, healthcare access remains a major concern for the area.
The issue has also sparked political debate, with residents questioning why nearby infrastructure projects completed around the same period are already operational while the hospital remains shut. The contrast has intensified public frustration and prompted demands for accountability and faster action from authorities.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who also oversees the health department, has reportedly sought reports regarding the delay, though concrete steps toward opening the facility have yet to materialise. The hospital’s inauguration deadline, originally scheduled for March 2025, passed without staff deployment or installation of required equipment.
Local community members and representatives are now urging the government to expedite recruitment, complete equipment installation and make the hospital operational at the earliest. BJP District President (South) Shivram Singh said the matter has been taken up at higher levels and expressed confidence that work is progressing, adding that the hospital is expected to become functional within the next two months if pending formalities are completed.
