Patient numbers at Daga Memorial Government Women’s Hospital near Agrasen Square in Gandhibag have nose-dived by about 30 per cent due to worsening traffic congestion caused by the ongoing Indora-Dighori flyover construction near its entrance. The roads approaching Daga Hospital from both sides - Ganjakhet Square and Agrasen Square - have become narrow due to erected pillars of new flyover. As a women’s hospital specialising in maternity care, the situation has become particularly distressing for ambulance carrying pregnant women who are forced to grapple with delays and detours during critical times. The ongoing construction of the flyover, particularly from near Agrasen Chowk to Daga Hospital, is causing severe traffic disruptions, affecting both patients and hospital operations. The stretch has become a daily struggle, especially for patients seeking timely care. “Earlier, we used to get around 450 to 500 OPD patients every day, but now, the number has dropped to 350,” said Dr Dilip Madavi, Medical Superintendent at Daga Hospital.

 

The flyover under construction has narrowed the stretch from Agrasen Chowk to Daga Hospital and further, upto Ganjakhet Square, especially near the hospital’s entrance. One side of the road is completely unusable due to construction barricades, which have drastically narrowed the road. “It’s making it difficult to reach the hospital for regular commuters, patients, and even ambulance,” Dr Madavi explained. Ambulances, in particular, are bearing the brunt of the traffic snarls. “They face trouble entering the hospital premises due to congestion,” informed Dr Madavi. The congestion is causing problem not only to incoming but outgoing patients as well. “The traffic congestion causes delays in patient referrals too. For instance, when we refer patients to GMCH or other hospitals, ambulances often get stuck in traffic for 10–15 minutes.

 

The same sometimes happens when emergency cases like C-sections or normal deliveries reach us,” he added. The situation worsens during peak hours in the morning and evening leading to further chaos and distress for patients and healthcare workers alike. “We have raised these concerns with local authorities, including MLA Pravin Datke, but he also expressed helplessness citing the ongoing flyover construction. However, the issues we face on the ground are very real,” Dr Madavi said. With no immediate resolution in sight and construction work still underway, hospital staff fear that the crisis may deepen, affecting not just access, but also the safety of patients requiring urgent maternity and medical care.