**Summary:**
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4418, addressed to the Minister of Railways on August 20, 2025, inquired about the potential upgrade of the Ponmalai Railway Hospital in Tiruchirappalli. The questions raised concerned staff shortages, infrastructure limitations, proposals for upgrading the hospital to a full-fledged multi-specialty facility, details of sanctioned posts and vacancies, and plans to equip the hospital with modern diagnostic equipment and improved facilities.
In response, the Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, stated that the Divisional Railway Hospital, Tiruchirappalli Ponmalai, is a 197-bedded multi-specialty healthcare center with adequate infrastructure. This includes an eight-bedded ICU, six operation theaters, and six wards. The hospital has 16 doctors posted, providing specialized treatment in various fields, including General Surgery, Orthopedics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Anesthesiology, General Medicine, Pediatrics, and Dermatology. Honorary Visiting Specialists are available in Cardiology, Neurology, Psychiatry, Neurosurgery, Laparoscopic Surgery, Oncology, Urology, and Oral Maxillofacial Surgery. Referral facilities to private empanelled hospitals and diagnostic centers are also available. The hospital is equipped with modern diagnostic equipment and emergency care units. The Minister also clarified that the upgradation of railway hospitals is an ongoing process.
Key Entities Referenced
Ponmalai Railway Hospital: A railway hospital facing staff shortage and infrastructure challenges, located in Tiruchirappalli.
SHRI DURAI VAIKO: Member of LOK SABHA, who asked the question about the upgradation of Ponmalai Railway Hospital.
Southern Railway zone: A zone of the Indian Railways, encompassing the area served by the Ponmalai Railway Hospital.
Tiruchirappalli: City in Tamil Nadu, location of the Ponmalai Railway Hospital.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, who answered the question.
Intensive Care Unit ICU: A specialized unit within the Divisional Railway Hospital, Tiruchirappalli Ponmalai, equipped with 22 beds.
Divisional Railway Hospital, Tiruchirappalli Ponmalai: Name of the railway hospital with 197 beds.
Honorary Visiting Specialists HVS: Specialists in various fields such as Cardiology, Neurology, Psychiatry, Neurosurgery, Laparoscopic surgery, Oncology, Urology and Oral Maxillofacial surgery available at the hospital.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4418
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
UPGRADATION OF PONMALAI RAILWAY HOSPITAL
4418. SHRI DURAI VAIKO:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the Ponmalai Railway
Hospital is presently facing staff shortage and limited
infrastructure;
(b) if so, whether any proposals have been received or are under
consideration to upgrade the hospital into a full-fledged multi-
specialty facility to serve the increasing number of railway
employees, pensioners and their families in the Southern
Railway zone;
(c) the details of the present number of sanctioned posts and
vacancies for medical officers and specialists in the Ponmalai
Railway Hospital;
(d) whether the Government proposes to equip the hospital with
modern diagnostic equipment, improved inpatient facilities and
emergency care units; and
(e) if so, the details thereof including the timeline and budgetary
allocation proposed for the upgradation of this crucial
healthcare institution in Tiruchirappalli?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (e): Divisional Railway Hospital, Tiruchirappalli (Ponmalai) is a
197 bedded hospital. The hospital is a well established multi specialty
health care centre having adequate infrastructure, including an eight
…2/--2-
bedded Intensive Care Unit (ICU), six Operation Theatres and six
wards to cater to the medical care needs of railway beneficiaries
residing in the area.
16 railway doctors are posted, as per sanctioned strength, in the
hospital. These doctors provide specialized treatment in General
Surgery, Orthopaedic, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ophthalmology,
Anaesthesiology, General Medicine, Paediatrics and Dermatology. In
addition to this, facility of Honorary Visiting Specialists (HVS) is also
available in Cardiology, Neurology, Psychiatry, Neurosurgery,
Laparoscopic surgery, Oncology, Urology and Oral & Maxillo-facial
surgery. To provide optimal clinical care, facility of referral to private
empanelled hospitals and diagnostic centres is also available based
on requirement of patient.
Modern diagnostic equipment and emergency care units are
available to cater to the medical care needs of railway beneficiaries.
Up-gradation of railway hospitals is an ongoing process based on
development in medical science and healthcare requirements of
railway beneficiaries.
******