AIIMS Delhi gets 1,500-seat AC waiting hall

In a major boost to patient amenities, a state-of-the-art air-conditioned waiting hall with a seating capacity of 1,500 was inaugurated at AIIMS, New Delhi, on Wednesday. Built by Dhanuka Agritech under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the facility aims to offer greater comfort to the thousands of patients and families who visit India’s top medical institute daily.

Spanning 68,800 square feet, the new Dhanuka Waiting Hall is equipped with clean toilets, mobile charging points, and ample seating—providing a dignified, comfortable space for visitors, many of whom spend long hours at the hospital.

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The inauguration was led by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav (Independent Charge, Ministry of AYUSH; Minister of State, Health & Family Welfare), in the presence of AIIMS Director Dr M Srinivas, Bharat Vikas Parishad National Organising Secretary Suresh Jain, and PHDCCI President Hemant Jain.

The Rs 6-crore facility was hailed by CM Gupta as “a gift of comfort” and “an act of compassion”. She praised the Dhanuka Group and its Chairman Emeritus Dr RG Agarwal for their support, calling AIIMS a “ray of hope” for countless families.

Minister Jadhav described the initiative as an exemplary CSR contribution aligned with the government’s Viksit Bharat vision, underscoring the importance of private sector participation in strengthening public health infrastructure.

Dr Agarwal said that while Dhanuka Agritech’s core focus remains on empowering farmers, the company is equally committed to standing by citizens in times of need. “This waiting hall is our humble effort to contribute to the nation’s well-being,” he said.

Following the inauguration, a one-day international seminar titled “Crop Protection Chemicals and Cancer” was jointly organised by Dhanuka Agritech, AIIMS, and the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It brought together global experts to examine the impact of pesticides on health, especially cancer risk.

Key speakers included Dr Angello Moretto (University Hospital of Padova, Italy), Dr Peter D Loke (Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Singapore), Dr Michel Dourson (TERA, USA), and Gyanendra Gongal (WHO). The discussions focused on carcinogenic risk, regulatory standards, and the need for evidence-based communication to counter misconceptions surrounding pesticide use.

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The initiative not only enhances infrastructure at AIIMS but also highlights Dhanuka Group’s growing role in public health awareness, signalling its commitment to both agriculture and community well-being.