If people say jungle raj prevails at RIMS, Ranchi, they are right, literally.

For years, a veritable jungle has been growing on the terrace of the seven-storeyed state-run hospital building, unchecked.

The 4,26,006sqft-plus terrace has at least 100 peepal ( Ficus religiosa) and 50 banyan (Ficus benghalensis) species, most around 3 feet high. There is a fair sprinkling of neem and a wild profusion of lantana (locally called putush) and other bushes.

Though trees are most welcome in Ranchi, whose green canopy has depleted alarmingly, the jungle atop the huge RIMS terrace points to the utter neglect the hospital-cum-medical college, which occupies 220 acres in Bariatu's prime location, has been subjected to.

As civil engineers know, banyans and peepals have an aggressive root system that quickly delves deep into porous material in its search for water. That means materials like concrete septic systems and sewer conduits are extremely vulnerable to roots that poke and prod into the porous surface of concrete.

Senior engineers of state building construction department have noticed the problem growing wild, but say off the record that they can't do much unless hospital administration takes an interest.

"The roots are cracking RIMS terrace. It is extremely harmful for a building to have trees like banyan and peepal sprouting out from the terrace as it widens crevices and damages the building," warned a senior engineer of building construction department.

"Mere cutting wouldn't do. Trees, especially peepal and banyan grow roots through the bricks and develop a strong grip. If the trees are removed from the base, more trees would grow and it will be tough for hospital management to control it further. Roots have to be removed and the areas have to be treated with special chemical to prevent further growth," said the senior engineer.

At RIMS, a hospital staff not wanting to be named, said the terrace was kept locked all the time after a person tried to jump off it in 2013.

He said the terrace had been neglected so much that lantana shrubs were blooming and banyan trees had started throwing up aerial prop roots.

Head of paediatric department Dr A.K. Sharma came on record to say he had written over 20 times to former directors and medical superintendents to take care of trees with special reference to the impact the roots would make on his unit. "The paediatric unit is at the top. The roots will penetrate ceilings and walls and damage the building from the top. I won't be here forever, but I am concerned about this unit," Dr Sharma said.

Contacted, Dr B.L. Sherwal, the newly appointed director of RIMS, told The Telegraph: "It is a coincidence that even I noticed those trees today (Wednesday). Since I joined earlier this month, I'm going on rounds of the hospital daily. Rest assured, I will take immediate action to remove them as per engineers' advice."