Local chemists in Solan are worried that they will lose a major part of their business once the Regional Hospital shifts to a new location on the Kather bypass. The new facility, which is being built to replace the current hospital in the middle of the city, does not have any provision for housing chemist shops.
Why Chemists Cannot Relocate to the New Hospital Site
The main problem for the chemists is that the land around the new hospital belongs to the state government. According to The Tribune, this means the chemists cannot set up shops by purchasing plots even if they plan to relocate. Without the ability to buy land, they have no way to move their businesses near the new hospital.
Chemists Say Better Planning Was Needed
The chemists have said that better planning should have been done when the work to construct the new hospital began in 2022. They feel that the authorities should have considered the needs of local businesses that depend on the hospital's location. The Regional Hospital, currently located in the middle of the city, will be shifted to the Kather bypass where a spacious facility is being created.
According to The Tribune, a major part of the civil infrastructure has been completed while funds are awaited for interior work. The process to purchase new machinery has also been set in motion through state and central funds.
Our Take: A Missed Opportunity for Inclusive Planning
In our view, this situation highlights a clear failure in planning. When a major public facility like a hospital is relocated, the impact on local businesses should be a key consideration. The chemists have been serving patients for years, and their sudden displacement without any alternative arrangement is unfair. The authorities should have included commercial space for essential services like pharmacies in the new hospital design from the start. While the new hospital will undoubtedly improve healthcare infrastructure, it should not come at the cost of destroying local livelihoods. Better coordination between the health department and local stakeholders could have prevented this problem.