The construction of the Hospital and Research Center for cancer patients at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has been delayed, as highlighted by Pravin Datke during the Legislative Council on Thursday.

However, Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan has assured that the government will purchase necessary equipment within the next two and a half months and complete the construction within two years. The tender process for the hospital began in 2021, but faced various challenges and delays.

A committee was formed to address the issue, and the work was subsequently taken up by the medical education department. The hospital will be constructed by the Nagpur Improvement Trust and the necessary machinery will be purchased soon.

Although the hospital was sanctioned three years ago, the government failed to release funds, leading to the cancellation of the project. Pravin Datke raised concerns about the lack of progress on the four-acre project with 100 beds, which would benefit cancer patients from the Vidarbha region and adjoining states.

Despite completing administrative procedures, such as the appointment of an architectural firm, the project remained unimplemented. Former legislative council member Girish Vyas had also pursued this issue during his tenure without success.

Pravin Datke demanded an immediate sanction of Rs. 20 crore for the project. Officials from the medical education department stated that the Nagpur Improvement Trust was entrusted with the task of building the cancer hospital but later dropped the project due to the lack of funds