HC flags access issues at CIMS, orders inspection

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh high court has ordered an immediate inspection of the state-run Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), Bilaspur, to assess its emergency preparedness and the accessibility of its premises. The directive follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding the hospital's operational status. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal issued the order on April 8, directing court commissioners to evaluate the hospital's current condition and submit a report by the next hearing on May 5.The court expressed concern over the hospital's location in a congested area, noting that narrow approach roads and heavy traffic pose significant risks. The bench observed that indiscriminate vehicle parking near the boundary wall and main gate could obstruct essential services, including ambulances and fire tenders, during emergencies.District authorities—including the Collector, Municipal Commissioner, and Superintendent of Police—have been directed to ensure that the area around the CIMS campus remains free of encroachments and unauthorized parking to guarantee unhindered access for emergency vehicles.During the proceedings, the court reviewed the status of medical equipment procurement for CIMS as detailed in an affidavit filed by the MD of the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation (CGMSC) on April 7.According to the affidavit, of the 13 categories of medical equipment prioritised, 10 have already been supplied to the hospital as of April 6, 2026. Bidding processes for nine categories—including temporary pacemakers, fibre-optic bronchoscopes and ultrasound machines—are currently in the technical evaluation stage. Tenders for seven additional categories through GeM portal processes were scheduled for opening on April 8, 2026, subject to system-based approvals, while one category, a digital video colposcope, will be retendered after receiving no bids. Procurement of ventilators remains under tender, with bids expected on April 17, 2026.The high court has also directed the CGMSC MD to submit an updated status report on all pending tenders by the next hearing.