Delhi launches 30-year green redevelopment for medical campus
Delhi's government has commissioned a 30-year master plan to redevelop the sprawling Maulana Azad Medical College campus, focusing on structural safety, green infrastructure, and improved emergency access across five major hospitals.
The Delhi government's Public Works Department will hire a consultancy to draft a 30-year redevelopment plan for the Maulana Azad Medical College campus and its associated hospital complexes. The master planning exercise will cover 3.64 lakh square metres across five major medical institutions.
These institutions are Maulana Azad Medical College, Lok Nayak Hospital, GB Pant Hospital, Guru Nanak Eye Centre, and the Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences. The plan addresses ageing infrastructure and climate resilience needs in one of the city's key public health hubs.
Components under review
The appointed consultant will examine a wide range of campus facilities. Residential accommodation and hostels for doctors, nurses, and students are on the list. So are a convention centre, a central library, and research facilities.
The review will also cover a dormitory or budget hotel for patients' attendants, a reception block, and the potential for a rooftop helipad. The proposed plan includes creating a circumferential road, better entrances and exits, and improved parking. It prioritizes pedestrian movement and dedicated emergency corridors between buildings.
Structural and environmental priorities
A major structural audit is planned for older high-rise buildings. This audit will target about 75,000 square metres of structures built before 2000 and standing more than 15 metres high. The findings will guide whether buildings are demolished, strengthened, or replaced.
The proposal envisions a Green Campus. This integrates more greenery, solar power generation, and water conservation systems. Waste management improvements and the use of electric vehicles for internal campus movement are also key components. The goal is an integrated network of roads and services alongside new construction.
Background and triggers
The current planning exercise was prompted by a high-level review last year. Then lieutenant-governor VK Saxena, chief minister Rekha Gupta, and health minister Pankaj Singh inspected the campus complexes. They identified critical lapses in security and an acute shortage of accommodation for medical staff.
Consultancy role and timeline
The consultancy's role is extensive. It covers digital surveys, architectural and structural designs, and the preparation of tender documents and working drawings. The consultant will also handle obtaining statutory approvals and provide support during the construction phase.
The consultancy period is fixed at 36 months. It will extend to two months after the completion of construction, whichever is later. This ensures oversight from initial survey to final build.
