Final deadline set for Panipat‘s maternal & child wing completion

Residents of Panipat are expected to get access to advanced medical facilities for mothers and newborns under one roof by the beginning of 2026, as the long-delayed Maternal and Child Health (MCH) wing at the District Civil Hospital nears completion. The project, delayed by over two-and-a-half years, now has a final completion deadline of December 31, 2025, set by the Health Department, which has also instructed the contractor to adhere strictly to the timeline.

The project was first announced by Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister and former Chief Minister, during the 2018 budget session in his first tenure. The MCH wing was planned as a 100-bed facility to be built within the Civil Hospital premises. Once completed, the Civil Hospital’s capacity will increase from 200 to 300 beds.

After obtaining administrative and financial approval, the project funds were transferred to the Public Works Department (Buildings & Roads), which allotted the tender for a seven-storey MCH wing in June 2021. The initial deadline for completion was June 2023, but the project missed that target. Extensions were later granted up to December 2023 and subsequently up to June 2025, with the project missing all five deadlines so far, according to sources.

The project cost, which was initially lower, has now risen to Rs 62.37 crore, more than double the original estimate, due to design revisions and delays.

While the seven-floor structure of the MCH wing has been completed, work is still in progress to install centralised air-conditioning, set up modular operation theatres and complete lift and electrical works. The building is designed as a green structure, incorporating energy-efficient features.

A supervisor from the contractor company claimed that most floors are nearly ready and assured that the remaining work will be completed within the deadline fixed by the department.

According to the project plan, the 100-bed MCH wing will include modern medical infrastructure such as 20 delivery tables, Gynaecology and Child OPDs, a Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU), a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and an operation theatre.

Dr Manish Pasi, Deputy Medical Superintendent, said the Civil Hospital currently has 200 beds and with the new MCH wing, its capacity will increase to 300 beds.

The demand for additional doctors, nurses and technical staff has already been sent to the headquarters in line with the upgraded 300-bed hospital, sources said.

According to the sources, the hospital has sought the appointment of three Senior Medical Officers (SMOs), 11 Medical Officers, 53 Staff Nurses, six OT Assistants, six Lab Technicians, four Nursing Sisters, four Radiographers, six Pharmacists and other support staff. The

furniture and infrastructure have also been sanctioned and will be installed once the building is ready.

Dr Vijay Malik, Civil Surgeon, along with Dr Manish Pasi, Dr Rinku Sangwan and other officials, recently inspected the MCH building to review progress.

“The MCH wing is a major project and we are hopeful it will be completed by the end of December this year. It will also be connected to the main hospital building,” said Dr Malik.