Special Correspondent
New Delhi: Serious allegations levelled by a local Residents Welfare Association (RWA) against CK Birla Hospital in Punjabi Bagh, one of West Delhi’s prominent residential localities, have sparked concern within civic and administrative circles. The hospital has been accused of alleged illegal construction, misuse of basement space, violations of environmental norms, unauthorized parking, non-compliance with fire safety standards, and alleged collusion by officials. The issue has now taken a political turn, with Sahil Gangwal, Vice-Chairman of the West Zone Ward Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), announcing that he will raise the matter prominently in the upcoming MCD House session.
According to a complaint submitted by Neeraj Walia, President of the West Punjabi Bagh Road No. 41 Residents Welfare Association, to the MCD Commissioner and several government departments, CK Birla Hospital, operating from property numbers 45 (under construction) and 57 on Road No. 41, is allegedly functioning in violation of multiple statutory regulations. The complainants claim that the area is primarily designated as a residential zone, yet large-scale hospital and diagnostic activities are being conducted there, causing significant inconvenience to local residents.
One of the most serious allegations concerns the use of the hospital’s basement. The RWA claims that instead of being used for parking and essential services, as required under building regulations, the basement is allegedly being utilized for commercial diagnostic operations such as CT scans, MRI services, and other medical facilities. As a result, adequate parking space is reportedly unavailable within the premises, forcing a large number of vehicles onto surrounding roads.
Residents allege that the hospital’s operations have led to persistent traffic congestion, illegal roadside parking, and obstruction of emergency vehicle movement. According to the complaint, these issues have adversely affected daily life in the locality and severely disrupted traffic management in the area.
The RWA has also accused the hospital of unauthorized cutting and pruning of trees around the premises, allegedly causing damage to the local green cover. In addition, the complainants have raised concerns regarding noise pollution, air pollution, and other environmental impacts arising from the hospital’s activities. They argue that these factors are affecting the environmental quality of the neighborhood.
The complaint further expresses concern that the hospital may be operating without full compliance with approved building plans, occupancy certificates, parking requirements, environmental clearances, and fire safety approvals. On this basis, the RWA has demanded a joint inspection by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Fire Service, Forest Department, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Traffic Police, and local police authorities, along with strict action against any violations found.
Reacting strongly to the allegations, Sahil Gangwal stated that if any influential institution has been allowed to function above the law with the protection of officials, it is not merely a case of corruption but also a serious threat to public safety. He said that he would raise issues related to the hospital’s functioning, alleged illegal construction, basement misuse, unauthorized parking, tree cutting, and the role of concerned officials during the next MCD House meeting.
Gangwal remarked that incidents such as those witnessed in Malviya Nagar and other parts of Delhi have demonstrated the dangers of ignoring illegal constructions and regulatory violations. He stressed that such a situation would not be allowed to develop in the West Zone, regardless of how influential or reputed an institution may be.
Questioning the civic administration, Gangwal asked why no action had been taken if complaints already existed. He demanded accountability from officials if violations related to fire safety norms, building by-laws, environmental regulations, or parking standards were found to have occurred. He called for a high-level investigation and urged strict departmental and legal action against anyone found responsible for negligence or collusion.
He further stated that the administration must explain why action was allegedly delayed despite repeated complaints and under whose protection such violations were allowed to continue. According to him, public safety, rule of law, and transparency are more important than any hospital, builder, or influential institution. He emphasized that those endangering public lives should not be spared under any circumstances.
The matter has now moved beyond concerns about a single hospital and has raised broader questions regarding illegal construction, administrative accountability, and possible corruption in the national capital. Local residents are closely watching the response of the concerned departments and the debate expected in the MCD House. If the allegations are substantiated through investigation, the case could raise serious questions about the functioning of Delhi’s regulatory and administrative mechanisms.
