Bengal CM defends decision to shift stampede injured to private hospital, says better care

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari during a visit to the Durga Puja stampede victim’s residence in Kolkata, in Chakdaha, Nadia district, West Bengal, on October 20, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday (20 October 2026) defended the government’s decision to shift those injured in the Kolkata stampede from a government hospital to a private hospital, saying it was to ensure the best possible treatment and prevent further loss of life.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the Health Ministry’s control room at Swasthya Bhavan on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) evening, he said the decision was taken on the spot after the authorities assessed the treatment facilities available in government hospitals.

“We shifted the injured to private hospitals as we realized that the best treatment can be given there to avoid further loss of life. I am happy to report that there was no death among the 25 injured in the stampede. We took the decision on the spot. There is nothing controversial about it,” he said.

Responding to criticism over the move, Mr Adhikari said the decision should not be interpreted as a failure on the part of the health ministry.

“People are criticizing the health minister and the health minister for the shift. But I would say there is nothing to say that the state’s health infrastructure has failed.”

Acknowledging deficiencies in government hospital infrastructure, he said it would take time to improve the public healthcare system to match private sector facilities.

“It would take at least two years to uplift the health system in West Bengal and bring it at par with the private sector system. We have been in power for six months now. We need one and a half more years for that,” he said.

The Chief Minister also said that the private hospital did not demand payment for the treatment of the injured, but the state government asked it to submit the bills as per Ayushman Bharat rates.

“I will not do marketing for a private hospital by taking its name. The private hospital has not claimed its cost but we have asked them to send us bills as per Ajushman Bharat rates,” he said.

Mr Adhikari said he had asked the health minister to submit a report on the conduct of some doctors at the medical college who spoke to the media after the incident.

According to him, the minister was asked to verify whether the doctors were on duty at the hospital that day. “If they would abandon their duty to speak to the media, then it is against service rules,” he said.

The chief minister said senior doctors, health workers and the medical superintendent-cum-vice-principal (MSVP) reached the hospital within an hour of the incident. He also praised the medical staff who worked during the Durga Puja festivities and said several doctors and paramedics canceled their leave to remain on duty.

“For the last three days, we have set up this control room and linked it with fire brigade and Kolkata police. Several doctors and paramedics have canceled their leave during this Durga Puja and are coming to work. I would like to thank the medical fraternity, they also have families and are active everywhere. There is pressure in SSKM Trauma Care,” he said.

On plans to strengthen health infrastructure in the state, Mr. Adhikari said the National Health Mission (NHM) was launched in West Bengal only a few months ago.

He also pointed to the commitments of industry groups to invest in healthcare facilities. According to the chief minister, industrialist Gautam Adani and his son have pledged to inaugurate the hospital at Arogya Mandir within 18 months.

“We have also been approached by the Reliance authorities to provide them the buildings that are now vacant so that they can open pathology centers there,” he said.

Mr. Adhikari said he asked the Reliance authorities what facilities they would offer to the economically weaker sections of the society. “I asked them what they would offer the poor people of West Bengal because 50% of people in Bengal earn ₹15,000 a month,” he said.

Highlighting gaps in diagnostic health services, the chief minister said West Bengal still lacked allergy testing facilities, even eight decades after independence.

Published – 21 Oct 2026 02:30 IST