Patna, Bihar – Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the newly constructed twin towers of Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH), a landmark event marking the hospital’s centenary year. The new towers, with a capacity of 1,117 beds, symbolize the ongoing transformation of Bihar’s first major hospital. A 22-foot commemorative structure was also unveiled to honor the hospital’s rich history, which dates back to its establishment in 1925.
PMCH has witnessed numerous historical changes, including the formation of the states of Odisha and Jharkhand. As part of an ambitious redevelopment plan, the first phase of the project has been completed, signaling a major step toward making PMCH the largest hospital in India and the second largest in the world, with an ultimate capacity of 5,462 beds. By 2027, the hospital will also have the capacity to admit 250 medical students annually.
Launched in December 2018 and initiated in February 2021, the redevelopment project carries a budget of Rs 5,540 crore. During the inauguration, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar emphasized the significance of completing the project on time to improve healthcare infrastructure and reduce the migration of patients to other states for treatment.
The newly built towers house state-of-the-art facilities, including an advanced emergency ward, cancer diagnostic chambers, VIP rooms, nurses’ stations, and an air ambulance landing zone. Additionally, PMCH is now better connected to J P Ganga Path for enhanced ambulance access and will be linked to a double-decker corridor currently under construction on Ashok Rajpath.
This development is part of a broader initiative by the Bihar Health Department to increase bed capacities at five other medical colleges across the state. The upcoming Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) will open with 3,000 beds in August, followed by major expansions at other hospitals including Darbhanga Medical College Hospital, Nalanda Medical College Hospital, and more.