Prayagraj: The Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital (SRNH) in Prayagraj is embarking on an ambitious expansion plan to increase its bed capacity to 2,000. A landmark land lease agreement has been signed, enabling the hospital to lease land for 90 years at a token annual fee of just one rupee. The agreement will be valid for 30 years initially, with renewals every 30 years at the district magistrate’s discretion.The approval for this significant step came from principal secretary Partha Sarathi Sen Sharma, who issued the official notification on Sept 9. This move follows critical remarks from the Allahabad high court regarding the hospital’s poor infrastructure and operational inefficiencies. These remarks prompted local authorities to take immediate action to improve the hospital’s condition and capacity.The expansion plan had been in the works for a while, with construction already progressing on the hospital campus enlargement. However, land acquisition from neighbouring institutions posed significant challenges. The govt Women’s Physical Training College land near the SRN campus was stuck in bureaucratic processes, and a substantial portion of land controlled by the Basic Education Department also complicated matters. Fortunately, ahead of the 2025 Maha Kumbh, the Motilal Nehru Medical College administration successfully secured a portion of the required land, paving the way for the hospital’s expansion.Dr. Raj Kumar Chaudhary, nodal officer of the trauma centre, said that two new buildings have been constructed on the recently acquired landAdditionally, a road connecting the hospital campus to MG Road has been created, improving access to the facility. Some other govt buildings, including the residence of the chief development officer (CDO), are located within this complex but are also set to be relocated. Of the total 1,450 beds, SRNH has 52 in the trauma ward, including 10 in ICU. The plan also includes relocating the CDO’s residence to a new area across MG Road, making space for the hospital’s expansion. Moreover, the students currently training at the govt Women’s Physical Training College will be transferred to a new institution, ISE — Institute for Advanced Study and Education, ensuring that their education continues smoothly despite the relocation. Dr. VK Pandey, principal of Motilal Nehru Medical College, confirmed that the acquisition process for additional land is currently underway at the administrative level. Once all the necessary land is cleared, the hospital’s expansion will accelerate, providing the region with enhanced healthcare facilities.