A total of 72 hospitals have been approved for upgradation in different phases under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), Parliament was told on Tuesday.

"The upgradation of hospitals across the country will be done in several phases," said Minister of State for Health Faggan Singh Kulaste in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

As part of the decisions by the Health Ministry, the proposal for creation of a Super Specialty block in Institute of Medical Sciences, Benaras Hindu University, at a cost of Rs 200 crore under PMSSY has been approved.

"Government Medical College (GMC), Bilaspur, and Government Medical College, Jagdalpur, have been approved for upgradation at the cost of Rs. 200 crore each (Central Share: Rs 120 crore, State Share: Rs. 80 crore) under Phase-IV of PMSSY," said Kulaste. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has been appointed as the executing agency for upgradation.

Gap Analysis Committee has been constituted, and preliminary analyses by GMCs for Jagdalpur and Bilaspur have been reviewed on January 12, 2017, and they have been asked to submit revised analysis and estimate in consultation with the executing agency, said Kulaste.

Kulaste also informed the house that timelines for start and completion of the upgradation work depend upon various factors, including approval of authorities concerned, approval of Detailed Project Report and issue of notification of award.

"Upgradation of GMCs under Phase-IV of PMSSY is to be completed by December 31, 2018, as approved by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Aug 3, 2016," he added.