Apollo Seeks Easier Visas to Boost Medical Tourism

24 Feb 2025 CW Team

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise has urged the government to implement a more liberal visa policy for overseas patients to strengthen India's medical tourism sector.

"So our idea is to work with the government of India and really evolve this plan called Heal in India. We need enhanced E visas," Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Joint Managing Director Sangita Reddy said.

She highlighted that competitor countries like Thailand, Turkey, the Philippines, and Singapore offer visas on arrival, making it easier for international patients to access treatment. "We are requesting the government to enhance the ease of patients coming in, to speed in, and make the medical tourism visas faster, to promote the concept, because India has high-quality healthcare at one-tenth of global prices," Reddy added.

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Executive Vice Chairperson Preetha Reddy also emphasized the need to improve the visa process and enhance patient experiences at airports. "Now we have fabulous airports in a lot of cities, so that's kind of done," she said.

On future growth, Apollo Hospitals is focusing on collaborations across various sectors, including digital health and scientific research. "So in the digital space, yes, in the learning space, yes, and definitely in the hospital space, you know, you will see more collaborations and lot of scientific collaborations," Reddy said, adding that the company is working with IITs and other institutions to incubate innovations.

The healthcare major has announced plans to invest nearly Rs 6,000 crore ($720 million) over the next five years to add 3,000 beds across its hospital network.

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Mizoram To Build Rs 139 Billion Pumped Storage Power Plant

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday announced plans to construct a 2,400 MW pumped storage hydroelectric power plant in Hnahthial district, marking a major step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency in the state. Addressing the Mizo Students’ Union general conference in Hnahthial town, the Chief Minister said the plant would be developed across the Darzo Nallah, a tributary of the Tuipui river. Once operational, the project is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting Mizoram’s rising electricity demand and reducing dependence on imported power. Officials from the State Power..

Centre Plans Nationwide Opening Of Power Retail Market

India is preparing to open up its retail electricity market to private companies nationwide, effectively ending the long-standing monopoly of state-run power distributors in most regions, according to a draft bill released by the Union Power Ministry on Friday. The move will enable major private sector players — including Adani Enterprises, Tata Power, Torrent Power, and CESC — to expand their presence across the country’s electricity distribution landscape. A similar reform attempt in 2022 had faced strong opposition from state-run distribution companies (discoms), which currently dom..

CEA Sets 100 GW Nuclear Target For India By 2047

In a landmark step marking its 52nd Foundation Day, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) unveiled an ambitious roadmap to develop 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, aligning with India’s long-term Net-Zero commitment and energy security objectives. The event, held at the Central Water Commission auditorium in New Delhi’s R.K. Puram, was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, who served as the Chief Guest. The roadmap sets out a detailed plan to expand India’s nuclear capacity from its current level of approximately 8,180 MW as of early 2025, outl..