Chandigarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to virtually inaugurate three major medical facilities at PGI — the Advanced Neuroscience Centre, the Mother and Child Care Centre, and a new Critical Care Block. Institutional sources said the administration is preparing for a digital event, as a physical visit by the PM appears unlikely at this stage. Modi last visited the institute in 2015 during its annual convocation.
Officials are finalising virtual arrangements to avoid last-minute technical glitches, while keeping plans under wraps. This mirrors a similar digital launch in 2024, when the PM virtually inaugurated PGI’s 100-bed satellite centre in Ferozepur. “PGI has live telecast many events nationally and internationally, but for such a prestigious relay, thorough planning and third-party deliberation are essential. A committee has been set up in this regard,” said a PGI official.
The upcoming launch will formally open projects worth nearly ₹1,000 crore. The ₹490 crore Advanced Neuroscience Centre, approved in 2017, began outpatient services on April 20. Construction started in 2020, and the centre was initially slated for inauguration by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda during the April 30 convocation, but the event was postponed.
Meanwhile, the ₹485 crore Mother and Child Care Centre is complete and expected to become fully operational this month. The five-storey, 430-bed facility recently drew attention after advanced medical equipment worth ₹150 crore, donated by Infosys in 2024, remained unused and unopened pending the official launch.
Alongside these, the newly constructed Critical Care Block will also be unveiled virtually, significantly strengthening the region’s healthcare infrastructure once dates are confirmed.
