Row over Rewari hospital site intensifies, ‘padyatra’ on July 13

A proposed 200-bed hospital project in Rewari is facing roadblock as residents of Bhagwanpur (Ramgarh) village remain firm in their demand to have it constructed in their village. The villagers have been staging an indefinite dharna for over two weeks and have now announced a ‘padyatra’ from the protest site to the Mini Secretariat in Rewari on July 13 in support of their demand.

“The state government is moving ahead with its plan to establish a 200-bed hospital in Rewari, and suitable land is being identified for the purpose. Recently, the land in two villages — Gokulgarh and Bhagwanpur — had been shortlisted. However, the land in Gokulgarh was later deemed unsuitable for the project. Naturally, we expected the hospital to be established in Bhagwanpur. Instead, efforts are now being made at a higher level to shift the project elsewhere,” said Anil, protest leader and son of the Bhagwanpur sarpanch Krishna Devi.

He further claimed that Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh had assured villagers that the hospital would be built in Bhagwanpur, but that the assurance is yet to be fulfilled. “We passed a resolution and submitted it to the authorities concerned, offering around 8 acres of panchayat land for the hospital. Our village is more suitable than the alternatives — just 500 m from the Rohtak-Rewari Highway (NH-71A). Despite this, efforts are underway to execute the project elsewhere, which we strongly oppose,” Anil added.

He also stated that the move to set up the hospital at another place became evident when an official communication was sent to the gram panchayat of Shehbazpur village, requesting it to prepare a case to allot five acres to the Health Department for the proposed hospital.

Rajender Singh, a social activist associated with the protest, said the agitation had now gained momentum beyond Bhagwanpur, with residents of several neighbouring villages pledging support. A mahapanchayat was held on Sunday, drawing a large gathering from nearby villages to back the demand, he claimed.

Narender Dahiya, Civil Surgeon, said he had not received any information so far regarding the finalisation of a site for the project.

Meanwhile, Rao Inderjit said that five to six villages had offered land for the proposed hospital and Bhagwanpur was among them. “The process of selecting a suitable site is still underway. My daughter Health Minister Arti Singh Rao is conducting surveys to identify the most appropriate location for the hospital. However, some of the protesters are making baseless and unwarranted statements against her,” he claimed.

Rao further alleged that those leading the protest had supported the Congress candidate during the last Lok Sabha elections.

Haryana Tribune