Despite orders of High Court Chamyana Hospital road could not be widened : Dr Tanwar

Patients are bearing the brunt of the Forest Department’s sluggish functioning

Raising serious concerns over the delay in road widening work to the Super Speciality Hospital, Chamyana, Dr Kuldeep Kanwar, State President of the Himachal Kisan Sabha, has urged the Forest Department to immediately grant permission for cutting trees obstructing the project.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Dr Kanwar said that 45 trees have been identified for felling to enable the widening of the 700-metre-long approach road to the hospital. Despite all required formalities having been completed, he expressed disappointment that the Forest Department has failed to act, bringing the crucial infrastructure project to a standstill.

He pointed out that the Honourable High Court has already directed that the road widening work be completed within a stipulated timeframe. However, the lack of timely clearance from the Forest Department, he said, has kept the project hanging in uncertainty.

Dr Kanwar stressed that the delay is directly affecting patients, their attendants, doctors and healthcare workers. The narrow and deteriorated condition of the road is making it extremely difficult for critically ill patients to reach the hospital safely and on time. He urged the state government and the Health Minister to intervene immediately to resolve the issue in the larger public interest.

Taking a firm stance, the Himachal Kisan Sabha warned that if permission to cut the trees is not granted soon and the road widening work does not begin, the organization will be forced to launch a movement. The Sabha cautioned that failure to complete the work before the onset of the rainy season could further worsen conditions and increase difficulties for patients in the coming months.

Providing technical details, the Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD), Shimla, stated that all 45 trees—both large and small—have already been officially marked, and an amount of approximately ₹1.96 crore has been deposited with the Forest Department as required. Despite this, the long-pending clearance continues to delay the project.

Dr Kanwar reiterated that smooth and safe access to a major healthcare facility like the Chamyana Super Speciality Hospital should be treated as a top priority, and unnecessary administrative delays must be avoided in matters directly linked to public health and safety.