Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has directed the Health Department to initiate retrofitting measures for the preservation of the 151-year-old heritage building at Indira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) Hospital in Agartala.
The decision is seen as an initiative to safeguard Tripura’s architectural heritage.
The Chief Minister stated that the retrofitting efforts will mirror the successful preservation projects undertaken at Ujjayanta Palace and Pushpant Palace (Old Governor House).
“Preserving this historic structure is vital”, Saha stated.
Originally established in 1873 by Maharaja Birchandra Manikya Bahadur as a 30-bed facility, IGM Hospital has a rich history.
During the early 20th century, as part of a nationwide initiative to commemorate Queen Victoria, Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya Bahadur expanded the hospital.
Renamed “Victoria Memorial Hospital,” it was inaugurated in 1904 by Sir John Woodburn, then British Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, with 54 general beds and 10 dedicated to infectious diseases.
In 1990, the hospital was renamed ‘Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital,’ and today it stands as a 608-bed institution offering a wide array of modern medical services.
On average, the hospital’s outpatient department treats between 1,200 and 1,500 patients daily. Additionally, it serves as a hub for medical education, housing the Agartala Government Dental College, and Government Nursing College, and offering post-MBBS courses along with training programs for paramedics and community health officers.