A six-year delay in the construction of a proposed 100-bed civil hospital in Indore has sparked a political controversy in Madhya Pradesh after it emerged that several government posts were sanctioned and employees continued to be posted to the hospital despite the facility never being built.
The Khajrana Civil Hospital project was approved by the state government on June 23, 2020. Along with the approval, 87 posts were sanctioned, including those for specialist doctors, medical officers, staff nurses, laboratory technicians and pharmacists. However, six years later, construction has yet to begin as land for the project has still not been allotted.
The issue gained attention after reports revealed that transfers and appointments continued in the name of the proposed hospital. Official records show that as recently as June 15, 2026, a laboratory technician was posted to Khajrana Civil Hospital even though construction of the facility had not started.
Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Madhav Hasani said the project had been delayed because suitable government land could not be identified within the urban area. He clarified that the sanctioned nursing and paramedical staff had been temporarily deployed at Sanjeevani Clinics and other government healthcare institutions across Indore until the hospital becomes operational.
Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla also defended the government's decision. He said the site previously housed an Urban Primary Health Centre, which was later upgraded first into a proposed 50-bed hospital and subsequently into a 100-bed civil hospital. According to him, the project was delayed due to the unavailability of land, while the sanctioned staff were accommodated at other government hospitals and healthcare facilities as efforts to identify a suitable site continue.
Congress alleges irregularities
The Congress has alleged that the matter reflects serious administrative irregularities. Former minister Sajjan Singh Verma termed it a "major scam," questioning how appointments and transfers could be made for a hospital that exists only on paper. He demanded a high-level inquiry into the issue and said the party would raise it prominently during the upcoming Assembly session.
At present, the sanctioned staff are serving at PC Sethi Hospital, Hukumchand Hospital and other government healthcare institutions. Meanwhile, more than three lakh residents of Khajrana, Musakhedi, Tejaji Nagar, Bicholi Hapsi and nearby areas continue to rely on MY Hospital, MTH Hospital and the district hospital for government medical services.
