Hyderabad: The state govt’s decision to shift the Osmania General Hospital (OGH) to a new building in Goshamahal police stadium premises was challenged before the high court on Tuesday.
While allowing the plea filed by one M Anand Goud, who claimed it would impact the daily life of people living near the stadium, Justice B Vijaysen Reddy observed, “Taking a decision on where to locate a hospital is purely an administrative and policy decision which a state will take after studying ground realities.”
The judge, however, asked the state counsel to ascertain facts and inform the court if a decision has been taken and if the stadium has any readymade structure for the hospital.
Advocate general A Sudarshan Reddy said that the state wanted to run OGH from a more spacious and modern accommodation.
The AG also questioned the petitioner’s move to include chief minister A Revanth Reddy as a respondent in the plea. The judge agreed with the AG and said it was unwarranted and directed the petitioner to amend his petition duly deleting the name of the CM.
It may be recalled that the issue of OGH has been raging for over the past several years, with heritage activists resisting demolition, and doctors and patients seeking a modern hospital. The govt has maintained that the Goshamahal plan fulfilled the twin objective of moving the hospital to a new building while retaining the heritage OGH building.
The judge posted the matter to Feb 18.
