₹998-Crore MMCH Upgrade in Guwahati Faces Delay

A major healthcare expansion project aimed at easing pressure on Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has hit delays, raising concerns among patients across Guwahati. The redevelopment of Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (MMCH) in Pan Bazar, which has remained closed since January 2022, is yet to become operational despite substantial construction progress.

The ₹998-crore project was launched to transform MMCH into a super-speciality hospital with more than 800 beds, reducing the heavy patient load at GMCH. However, pending electrification work has slowed the final phase of completion.

The ₹998-crore redevelopment of Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital in Pan Bazar, Guwahati, remains delayed despite 80% construction completion. Closed since January 2022, the project aims to create an 800+ bed super-speciality hospital to reduce patient load at GMCH, but electrification work is pending.

Background: Why MMCH Was Closed

Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital, originally built in 2013, functioned as a multi-disciplinary extension of GMCH. Located in the densely populated Pan Bazar area, it catered to thousands of patients from across Guwahati.

In January 2022, the hospital was shut down to undergo a major transformation under a state government initiative to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure.

The objective was clear: reduce congestion at GMCH and upgrade facilities to meet rising demand.

Project Scope and Expansion Plan

Under the ₹998-crore expansion, MMCH is being converted into a super-speciality hospital with over 800 beds.

The plan includes:

• Merging MMCH with Kalapahar Medical College
• Adding 430 additional beds in the later phase
• Creating multiple hospital complexes
• Developing a G+17 residential complex

According to a supervisor at the construction site, “Almost 80 per cent of the work is complete. We are ready with the structure of the hospital premises along with a G+17 floor residential complex.”

The hospital will have four complexes:

• Complexes B and C: G+8 floors
• Remaining complexes: G+7 floors

Delay Due to Electrification Bottleneck

While the structural work is largely complete, the project is currently awaiting completion of electrification and minor finishing works.

The supervisor stated that the electrification phase remains the primary hurdle before the hospital can be made functional.

The project was originally expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Impact on Guwahati’s Healthcare System

GMCH continues to handle a significant patient load, not only from Guwahati but from districts across Assam and neighbouring states.

With MMCH non-functional for over two years, patients and healthcare workers have been awaiting the additional infrastructure.

The reopening of MMCH is expected to:

• Decongest GMCH
• Improve emergency care access in central Guwahati
• Expand super-speciality services
• Strengthen government healthcare delivery

What Happens Next?

Officials indicate that once electrification and finishing works are completed, the hospital can move towards operational readiness.

However, no revised inauguration timeline has been officially announced yet.

For residents of Guwahati, particularly those dependent on government healthcare facilities, the reopening of MMCH remains a highly anticipated development.

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