Punjab offers land to PGI for free

Mohit Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 12

The Punjab Government has proposed to provide 10 acres for free to the PGIMER, Chandigarh, for setting up a medical centre.

The proposal has come at a time when the UT authorities have demanded Rs 1,100 crore for providing  50 acres to the PGIMER for setting up new trauma centres and other health facilities.The proposal  was taken up during the general body meeting of the PGI in Delhi recently.

Amitabh Avasthi, Deputy Director, Administration, PGIMER, said, “The Punjab Government has offered 10 acres in New Chandigarh for setting up a new medical facility.  However, 10 acres will not be enough for the PGIMER to set up an institute. Perhaps, the state government will offer some more land.”

It was stated in the general house meeting that the UT had charged Rs 20 crore per acre in lieu of transferring 50 cares land to the PGIMER. The PGI authorities were expecting that the land be transferred at a cost of Rs 3 crore per acre. 

The PGI has planned to develop a new OPD, trauma centre and a cancer treatment centre besides a learning resources centre in Sarangpur village, located 2 km away from the PGIMER.

Avasthi said, “There is a desperate need for a second campus. Last year, as many as 25 lakh patients visited the PGI for treatment.  One campus is too small for accommodating so much of load.”

 “We are a government-run institution. We cannot pay such a huge price for land. However, all possibilities are being looked into,” said Avasthi.