A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking directions to the Union Government and the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS)-Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital to make the newly built Super Speciality Block (SSB) operational without further delay. The petition alleges that despite being largely completed at an estimated cost of around ₹400 crore, the facility has remained non-functional, affecting access to specialised healthcare services.
The PIL has been filed by Social Jurist, a civil rights organisation, through advocates Ashok Agarwal and Kumar Utkarsh. It argues that the prolonged delay in commissioning the facility has prevented thousands of patients from benefiting from additional hospital capacity and specialised treatment while leaving significant public investment unused.
According to the petition, the Super Speciality Block was planned to strengthen healthcare services at RML Hospital by increasing its total bed capacity from approximately 1,532 to 2,198 beds, adding nearly 666 beds. The facility also includes 18 operation theatres, advanced diagnostic infrastructure, and a dedicated Oncology Department equipped with a PET-CT scanner. However, the petitioner claims that pending administrative and regulatory approvals have prevented the block from becoming operational despite the infrastructure being substantially complete.
The plea states that the delay has left valuable healthcare infrastructure lying idle at a time when government hospitals continue to struggle with overcrowding, limited bed availability, and rising demand for specialised medical care. It contends that the continued non-utilisation of the facility adversely affects patients who depend on public hospitals for affordable treatment.
The petition cites a Times of India report published on April 10, 2026, which stated that the Super Speciality Block had remained non-operational for more than a year after its completion. It also notes that a representation was submitted to the authorities on June 22, 2026, urging them to address pending deficiencies and complete the required statutory formalities, but alleges that no meaningful progress has been made.
The PIL argues that the delay violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution by denying citizens timely access to healthcare and allowing a major publicly funded medical facility to remain unused. It also refers to the Supreme Court’s judgment in Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity v. State of West Bengal, which affirmed the government’s constitutional responsibility to provide adequate medical facilities.
Through the petition, the petitioner has sought directions for the authorities to complete all pending regulatory requirements, including obtaining the Completion Certificate, No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and other statutory approvals, within a fixed timeline. It also requests the court to direct the immediate operationalisation of the Super Speciality Block along with the deployment of adequate medical, nursing, technical, and support staff to ensure the facility begins serving patients without further delay.
