Allahabad High Court Pulls Up UP Government Over Delay in NOC for Super-Speciality Facility at SRN Hospital, Prayagraj
By Rajesh Pandey
The Allahabad High Court has voiced strong concern over the prolonged delay in granting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) required for transferring land to facilitate the construction of a proposed multi-speciality medical facility at Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital, affiliated with Motilal Nehru Medical College in Prayagraj.
Observing that the project has remained stalled for nearly eight months due to procedural bottlenecks, the court questioned the apparent lack of urgency in strengthening healthcare infrastructure in the city.
During the hearing, the single bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal, in an order dated April 20, expressed dissatisfaction with the pace at which administrative approvals were being processed.
The court remarked that the circumstances give an impression that the state authorities are allowing the matter to linger without demonstrating adequate seriousness towards improving medical facilities in Prayagraj, where thousands of patients depend on government hospitals for specialised treatment.
The court also took note of an affidavit submitted by the Special Secretary of the Medical Education Department, observing that it did not clearly specify any definite timeline for securing the necessary NOC from the Urban Development Department for the transfer of land.
Emphasising the importance of clarity and accountability in matters concerning public health, the court directed the Special Secretary to submit a detailed affidavit clearly indicating the timeframe within which the required consent would be obtained.
In addition, the High Court instructed the Principal of Motilal Nehru Medical College to file a response within a week addressing inspection findings related to hostel facilities for undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as to provide details regarding the functioning of the cardiology department.
The court has also directed the principal to remain present during the next hearing, scheduled for April 29, in order to assist the court with relevant information.
The matter stems from a petition filed by Dr. Arvind Gupta, a professor at Motilal Nehru Medical College, which has been under consideration for nearly one and a half years.
The case initially arose from a consumer dispute concerning medical treatment at a private hospital and subsequently progressed through district and state consumer forums before reaching the High Court.
During the proceedings, the High Court took suo motu cognisance of broader concerns related to infrastructure and functioning of government healthcare institutions, including issues regarding private practice by doctors.
Submissions made before the court revealed that the District Magistrate of Prayagraj had informed on April 17 that a portion of the land required for the proposed facility falls under the jurisdiction of the Urban Development Department, making its approval essential for further progress.
It was also pointed out that while part of the construction work has already been completed, further development—such as the establishment of an apex trauma centre—has remained stalled due to the pending land clearance and the need to remove an existing training institute located on the site.
An inspection report submitted by the amicus curiae appointed by the court also highlighted concerns about inadequate hostel accommodation and the poor condition of existing facilities for medical students.
Taking these issues into account, the court underscored that the matter is not merely administrative but directly linked to the quality of medical education and public healthcare services in the region.
Reiterating the urgency of the issue, the High Court has sought a clear and comprehensive response from the state government, cautioning against further delays in implementing a project that is expected to significantly enhance medical infrastructure in Prayagraj.
The court emphasised that the timely completion of such facilities is essential to meet the growing healthcare needs of the population and to ensure better treatment options within government institutions.
