09 years on, Bandipora Hospital building still incomplete

SUHAIL RATHER

Bandipora, 02 Jan: The construction of new building for District Hospital Bandipora in North Kashmir is incomplete even after 09 years with locals alleging political interference has delayed the project.

          The residents said that Government’s failure to complete the project within stipulated time showed indifferent nature of the authorities towards the problems of the people. They said they were happy after the construction was started but because of Government’s lassitude, people have lost all the hopes.

          “The new building is being constructed to provide better healthcare facilities to the residents, but the non-completion of this project has exposed the State Government’s claim of providing quality healthcare to the people of rural areas,” Danish Nabi a resident of  Bandipora, said.

          As per official sources, with an estimated cost of 24.32 crores, the construction work on the prestigious project was started in the year 2010, but the scarcity of funds marred the project. “The funds were never released on time and that delayed the project. But, if Government clears all the past liabilities and releases funds for the pending work on time the building will be completed,” they said.

          The locals explained that in the beginning, the construction was delayed by two years because of a tussle between two local groups over the site of construction. “Two years were lost due to a tussle between two local groups. It also wasted some money as well,” Yawar Khan, a local said, adding that both patients and doctors are suffering due to lack of space.

          “We have been witnessing the construction of the hospital since March 2010. It is still incomplete owing to official apathy and inefficiency of the local legislators. Due to its incompletion, we are facing lot of hardships on account of healthcare,” said President Traders Federation Shamshaad Ahmad.

As per locals, in absence of the much-needed structure, the hospital administration has converted the existing Sub District Hospital into District Hospital and that was affecting the effective delivery of healthcare in the area. “The authorities have built some tents makeshift room in order to cater to the rush of the patients. The space constraint is affecting the functioning of the hospital. Unless new building is not completed the move to grant District Hospital to Bandipora is useless,” they said.

The execution work is being carried out by JK Housing Board.

Official sources said the executing agency has missed two deadlines in the past for the completion and handing over of the hospital to the health department.

Locals said the construction work on the hospital is going on at snail’s pace. “The executing agency has only been able to build a structure in past eight years. Had the hospital building been completed on time our sufferings on account of healthcare would have been mitigated. “We were happy when the construction of the new hospital was started. But now we have lost hope,” locals said.

          Chief Medical Officer Bandipora, Dr Bilques, before few months claimed that the project is in the final stage and would be completed by the end of the year 2018, “The project is in the last stage and presently the construction of side room and finishing work is underway,” she said. However, the project is yet incomplete.

          Deputy Commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said the ground floor is being handed over next week. “We are starting partial operations later this month. Rs 3.45 Cr have been provided to JK Housing Board for completion. Another Rs 5.15 Cr are being given for heating system, equipment and compound wall,” he added