The Great Hospital Heist: 90 Vehicles Vanish from East Delhi's GTB Hospital in Just 3 Months Amid Security Chaos

A shocking wave of vehicle thefts has gripped Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital in East Delhi, leaving patients, staff, and visitors reeling from a significant security lapse. Over a mere three-month period, a staggering 90 vehicles—ranging from cars to two-wheelers—have been reported stolen from the hospital premises, exposing a gaping hole in public safety at a critical healthcare institution.

From January to March alone, this colossal number of thefts has turned the hospital's parking areas into a hotbed for criminals.

Victims include not only the general public visiting for medical reasons but also dedicated doctors, nurses, and other essential hospital staff who now face the added stress of protecting their personal property while performing their duties.

The root cause appears to be a severe lack of adequate security measures.

The sprawling parking lots at GTB Hospital are notoriously unmanaged, resembling a free-for-all rather than an organized facility. Crucially, there is a glaring absence of CCTV cameras, which are considered a fundamental deterrent to crime in modern urban environments. Furthermore, the hospital lacks dedicated security guards specifically assigned to patrol and monitor the parking areas, leaving vehicles vulnerable to opportunistic thieves.

This absence of oversight means that vehicles are often parked haphazardly, creating an environment ripe for theft.

With no surveillance or personnel to deter them, thieves can operate with alarming impunity, targeting easy marks among the hundreds of vehicles that pass through the hospital's gates daily.

In response to the escalating crisis, local police have registered 34 First Information Reports (FIRs) pertaining to these thefts.

While two alleged thieves have been apprehended and a meager two vehicles recovered, this represents a fraction of the total losses, leaving many victims without their crucial transportation and facing substantial financial burdens.

Hospital authorities, while acknowledging the grave situation, appear to be passing the buck.

The hospital superintendent reportedly stated that they have formally requested assistance from both the Delhi Police and the Public Works Department (PWD) to enhance security. They also indicated that the responsibility for managing and securing the parking facilities primarily lies with the PWD. However, this bureaucratic ping-pong offers little comfort or immediate solution to those who have lost their vehicles.

The emotional and financial toll on the victims is immense.

For patients and their attendants, the theft of a vehicle adds another layer of anxiety and hardship during already trying times. For hospital staff, who work tirelessly to serve the community, it's a demoralizing blow, undermining their sense of security at their workplace. This alarming trend at GTB Hospital underscores an urgent need for comprehensive security overhauls, including the immediate installation of CCTVs, deployment of dedicated parking security personnel, and a more streamlined approach to accountability to ensure the safety of both people and their property at this vital public health facility.