Gurgaon: Rainwater has again inundated the basement of Civil Hospital, reviving a years-old problem tied to structural deficiencies and an ageing underground sewer line. The basement remained waterlogged despite a Rs 1.2-crore renovation last year. Officials said the building, handed over by HSVP in 2012, has structural defects that let rainwater seep through walls and tile joints — which was also flagged by Public Works Department during a recent inspection.Doctors said water began entering the basement three days ago. “The basement was originally meant for several hospital functions, but because of recurring seepage, only the research wing now operates from there. We have carried out concreting and waterproofing work several times, but the problem persists because it is linked to the structure itself,” a senior doctor told TOI.The hospital has installed a permanent pump that continuously removes accumulated water from the basement, discharging it into the stormwater drain through the monsoon.Staff said the basement has become an uncomfortable workspace during the rains. “There is hardly any ventilation and the dampness makes it worse. Whenever water seeps in, a foul smell lingers for days,” a staff member said, requesting anonymity.PWD executive engineer Vivek Gupta said the core problem lies with the building’s old sewer line. “The sewage line is too old and needs to be replaced. Water is entering the walls through the penetration points of the sewage line. During the rainy season, when the groundwater level outside rises, pressure on the sewer line increases, leading to seepage and flooding,” he told TOI.He said PWD officials would inspect the site again on Friday and prepare a detailed estimate for the repair work. “We are hopeful that the work will be completed this year,” he said.Hospital authorities said a permanent fix is planned once a new 100-bed block becomes operational — expected within the next nine months — allowing operation theatres and other critical units to shift out, freeing the existing basement for extensive structural repairs that can’t be done while the hospital is running.The Sector 10 govt hospital handles up to 3,000 OPD patients a day. The 100-bed block was sanctioned in 2020, but construction stalled after the design was altered midway from four to five floors without corresponding financial approvals. The building remains incomplete.
