Agartala, Sep 10, 2024, TRIPURATIMES Desk
Agartala, Sept 10: In a significant step towards preserving Tripura’s architectural heritage, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has directed the Health officials to begin retrofitting the original heritage building of the Indira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) Hospital in Agartala.
The renovation will ensure the conservation of this iconic structure, following similar preservation efforts undertaken for the Ujjayanta Palace and Pushpabanta Palace.
The IGM Hospital, originally founded by Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya Bahadur in 1873 with just 30 beds, has a rich history. In the early 1900s, the British government initiated the construction of memorials in honor of Queen Victoria, with contributions from princely rulers.
Tripura’s then king Radhakishore Manikya Bahadur expanded the hospital’s capacity to 54 beds for general patients and 10 for those with contagious diseases, renaming it 'Victoria Memorial Hospital'.
The building’s name was inscribed atop the main structure, which was inaugurated by Sir John Woodburn, the British Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, in 1904.
In 1990, the hospital was renamed as Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and has since evolved into a state-of-the-art medical facility with 608 beds. Serving between 1,200 to 1,500 outpatients daily, the hospital also supports academic institutions like Agartala Government Dental College, Government Nursing College, and post-MBBS NBEMS courses, along with the training of paramedical professionals and Community Health Officers.
The restoration of the heritage building is seen as a critical step in preserving the cultural legacy of Tripura while ensuring that the hospital continues to serve the community with modern healthcare facilities.