16-Yrs Delay In Completing AIIMS Jodhpur Trauma Centre: Rajasthan HC Pulls Up State, Expresses Inclination To Impose ₹50 Crore Cost

The Jodhpur bench of the Rajasthan High Court pulled up the State Government for persistent delays in completion of “critical infrastructure projects” at AIIMS Jodhpur including a trauma centre and expressed its inclination to impose a cost of Rs. While hearing a plea concerning infrastructural issues at AIIMS Jodhpur division bench of Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Munnuri Laxman in its order said: “But even though this Court is of the firm opinion that the present case is that of criminal negligence and requiring imposition of a cost of Rs.50 crores upon the State, as indicated above, but in the interest of justice, before issuing any direction in this regard, one last opportunity is given to the learned AAG to file an affidavit before the next date, which will enable the Court to conclude its directions regarding the cost and actions for complete failure in public duty.” It underscored that the 'Right to Health' is a facet of Right to Life and Liberty under Article 21 of Constitution of India. “extremely concerning to note that the people are being deprived of access to basic medical and diagnostic facilities and are made to wait in queues with a waiting period of over 1-2 months, which is violative of their fundamental right to live with dignity.” It emphathized with the residents of the western region who are unable to secure basic and necessary medical facilities due to the persistent delays in the completion of critical infrastructure projects at AIIMS Jodhpur, particularly the construction of trauma centre. "Further, the learned Additional Advocate General shall obtain necessary instructions from the competent authority of the State of Rajasthan regarding the circumstances that have halted the trauma centre's construction for 16 years, directly impacting the potential life-saving capabilities for a large number of citizens, and ensure that the high-tension lines are removed in a time-bound manner to facilitate the completion and immediate operationalization of the trauma centre," it directed.