Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to dedicate a series of major healthcare infrastructure projects at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh on July 17, marking a significant expansion of advanced medical services in northern India. The projects, collectively valued at around ₹1,200 crore, are expected to enhance access to specialised treatment, strengthen emergency care, and improve healthcare outcomes for millions of patients across the region.
According to PGIMER Director Prof. Vivek Lal, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Advanced Mother and Child Centre (AMCC) and the Advanced Neurosciences Centre (ANC). In addition, he will lay the foundation stone for a new 150-bed Critical Care Hospital Block under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. Prof. Lal described the upcoming inauguration as a landmark moment in the institute’s journey, stating that the new facilities will significantly expand PGIMER’s ability to provide affordable and high-quality tertiary healthcare.
The Advanced Mother and Child Centre has been developed at an estimated cost of ₹505 crore and features 300 beds equipped with modern medical infrastructure. The facility includes advanced neonatal intensive care units, modular operation theatres, and integrated maternal and neonatal services under one roof. It is expected to strengthen PGIMER’s capacity to manage more than 6,000 high-risk deliveries every year. The Infosys Foundation has also contributed ₹147 crore towards procuring advanced medical equipment for the centre, further enhancing its capabilities.
The Advanced Neurosciences Centre is another 300-bed facility designed to provide comprehensive treatment for neurological disorders. It brings together neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, neuroanaesthesia, neurocritical care, and rehabilitation services within a single complex. Equipped with 61 intensive care beds, modular operating theatres, and advanced diagnostic systems, the centre is expected to reduce treatment delays, improve patient survival rates, and strengthen PGIMER’s position as a national hub for neuroscience education, research, and clinical care.
The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for the 150-bed Critical Care Hospital Block, which will be built at an estimated cost of ₹244 crore. Conceived after the COVID-19 pandemic, the facility aims to boost India’s preparedness for future public health emergencies by expanding multidisciplinary critical care services and emergency response capabilities. The project forms part of the Centre’s broader effort to strengthen healthcare infrastructure under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission.
Highlighting the growing demand for healthcare services, Prof. Lal noted that the increasing number of patients visiting PGIMER reflects the trust people place in the institution. He said the institute remains committed to expanding infrastructure and improving medical services to ensure that no patient is denied access to quality treatment. The new projects are expected to ease pressure on existing facilities while supporting advanced clinical care, medical education, and research.
The upcoming inauguration underscores the government’s continued focus on modernising healthcare infrastructure and improving access to specialised medical services across the country. With state-of-the-art facilities for maternal health, neurosciences, and critical care, the expanded PGIMER campus is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s tertiary healthcare network and delivering better health outcomes for patients from Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and other neighbouring states.
