New Osmania Hospital in Goshamahal Announced

New Osmania General Hospital to Rise in Goshamahal, Heritage Building to be Restored

Hyderabad: In a move welcomed by heritage enthusiasts, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy announced that the new Osmania General Hospital (OGH) will be constructed on a 30-acre site in Goshamahal. At the same time, the existing historic building will be meticulously restored. This announcement was made in the Assembly, where Reddy stated that the foundation stone for the new hospital building would be laid within the next 20 days on the land previously occupied by old police quarters.

The decision came in response to a query raised by All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi concerning the future of the hospital buildings. The former government, led by K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) of the BRS, had planned to demolish the heritage structure of the Osmania General Hospital to make way for a modern facility with 1,812 beds. This proposal faced significant backlash from heritage activists who sought to preserve the historic site.

During the Assembly elections last year, the Congress party pledged in its manifesto to protect the heritage structure of the OGH while simultaneously developing advanced healthcare infrastructure. However, there were subsequent reports suggesting that the Congress government might also consider demolishing the old building to construct a new hospital on the same site.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi had previously stirred controversy by suggesting that the heritage building should be demolished to pave the way for the new hospital. This stance drew criticism from activists dedicated to preserving Hyderabad’s historic architecture.

Despite the urgent need for improved infrastructure at Osmania Hospital, which is currently in poor condition, the heritage structure occupies only three out of the total 26 acres of the hospital’s premises. This leaves ample space for new construction without needing to demolish the historic building.

Renowned architect Srinivas Murthy, who designed the Yashoda Hospital in Gachibowli, presented several alternative solutions last year at Lamakaan. These alternatives aimed to balance the construction of a new hospital with the preservation of the historic structure. Activists have repeatedly highlighted the availability of space for a new hospital within the existing premises.

History of Osmania General Hospital

Osmania Hospital has a rich history, with its completion dating back to 1925. The hospital was built in response to the bubonic plague that struck Hyderabad around 1911. Following the epidemic, the then Nizam, Osman Ali Khan (1911-1948), established the City Improvement Board (CIB) in 1912 to enhance the city’s infrastructure. The hospital was designed by architect Vincent Esch, who also designed the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata.

The heritage building of Osmania Hospital, along with other notable structures like the High Court and City College, is a prime example of the Osmania style or Indo-Saracenic architecture. These buildings form an integral part of Hyderabad’s 20th-century riverscape and skyline. Under Osman Ali Khan’s reign, the CIB transformed Hyderabad from a medieval city into a modern metropolis, adding key infrastructure such as the High Court and railway stations.

The announcement by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy represents a significant step towards modernizing Hyderabad’s healthcare infrastructure while honoring and preserving its historical legacy. The new Osmania General Hospital in Goshamahal promises to provide state-of-the-art healthcare services to the residents of Hyderabad, ensuring that the city’s rich architectural heritage is not lost in the process.

Osmania General Hospital  contact Number is 040-23538846, 040-24600146

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