JJ super-specialty dept project get green nod

The state government's ambitious project to build a 10-storey super-specialty department in the JJ hospital campus is set to get a shot in the arm. The long-pending project finally got permission from the Ministry of Environment and Forest, which was mandatory as most buildings in the campus have been declared heritage structures.

The work on the Rs850 crore project will begin in August, increasing the hospital's current bed capacity by 1,100.

One of the oldest and largest hospitals in south east Asia, JJ hospital has 16 operation theatres and 38 departments, and attends to 2,500 patients in out-patient department daily. The hospital also sees 1,100 admissions and 200 surgeries a day. The 1,352-bed hospital was established by Sir Jameshdji Jeejeebhoy around 150 years ago.

Over the last few years, however, the hospital has been facing an acute shortage of space. To tackle the problem, the hospital administration had asked the government for permission to use an old prisoners' ward. Apart from the super-specialty department, the government also plans to construct a 12-storey residential building for Class III and IV employees. A two-storey bungalow for the dean will also be built in the campus.

As many as 200 beds in the new building will be dedicated to the intensive care unit. Before starting on the new building, two old buildings on the campus will have to be demolished. "We have most permissions required to start the construction. We will start the project within three-four months. Within two-and-a-half years, the building will be completed," said hospital Dean Dr T P Lahane.