50-Bed Critical Care hospital in Manimajra to Boost Chandigarh’s Health Infrastructure

Manimajra, Chandigarh | In a major healthcare development for Chandigarh, the long-awaited 50-bed critical care hospital is finally set to take shape in Manimajra, with the Union Government approving a budget of ₹24 crore and the UT Administration allotting 2 acres of land for the project.

This facility, aimed at bridging crucial healthcare gaps in the region, is being established under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)—a flagship scheme launched to fortify India’s public health infrastructure and pandemic preparedness.

Green Signal from Centre & UT Administration

As part of the Centre’s mission to build resilient and accessible health systems, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare sanctioned the project back in January 2022. Now, after considerable planning, the groundwork is finally set to begin.

Gulab Chand Kataria, Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, has formally approved the 2-acre site located in Pocket 14 of Manimajra, right along the prominent 200-foot road leading to Chandigarh’s IT Park. The land, offered free of cost, has been placed at the disposal of the Health Department for exclusive use in constructing the critical care block.

Why Manimajra?

Despite being a key urban zone housing Mauli Jagran, rehabilitation colonies, and the IT Park, Manimajra lacks adequate secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities. At present, the area only has a 100-bed sub-district hospital that falls short of handling emergency and critical cases.

This new critical care unit is a timely response to the long-pending demand from locals for advanced medical facilities close to home.

What Will the New Hospital Offer?

According to the official blueprint, the upcoming 50-bed critical care centre will be a comprehensive, state-of-the-art medical facility, fully equipped to manage emergencies and high-dependency cases.

Key Features Include:

• Emergency & ICU wards
• Isolation units
• Operation theatres (OTs)
• Labour-delivery-recovery rooms (LDRs) with neonatal care
• Imaging and diagnostics units
• Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD)
• Mechanised laundry services

In addition, the hospital will be built with a medical gas pipeline system, oxygen generation/supply units, air handling units (AHUs), and modern infection control mechanisms — features that have become critical in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Joint Effort to Strengthen Local Healthcare”

Calling the project a milestone in public health, Governor Kataria said:

“This project is a testament to the collaborative efforts between the Centre and the UT Administration in enhancing public health services. It reflects our commitment to ensuring accessible, high-quality critical care at the grassroots level.”

About PM-ABHIM

Launched in Budget 2021-22, the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission aims to fill key gaps in urban and rural healthcare systems. With a total outlay of ₹64,180 crore over five years (2021–2026), it is India’s largest pan-India healthcare scheme since 2005.

The scheme is part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Health Package, announced to prepare India for future pandemics through a robust mix of:

• Health surveillance systems
• Critical infrastructure in districts and urban centres
• Investment in health research and workforce training

What’s Next?

As per officials, ₹23.75 crore has already been disbursed for the Manimajra project, and construction is expected to begin soon. The project will be executed under the strict monitoring of the UT Health Department, with the land ownership retained by the Chandigarh Administration.

With this addition, residents of Manimajra and nearby areas will soon have access to world-class emergency and critical care services, reducing the burden on PGIMER and GMCH-32.

The Manimajra critical care hospital marks a significant step towards equitable and localized healthcare delivery. As India continues to strengthen its public health systems post-COVID-19, such projects offer a blueprint for the future — where every citizen, regardless of geography, has timely access to lifesaving care.