Abandoned Hospital in Gund Jahangir Becomes Shelter for Addicts
Nine Years On, NTPHC Gund Jahangir Remains Incomplete; Residents Demand Action
Convener News Desk
Bandipora, Feb 18: The residents of Gundjahangeer village in Hajin Sonawari area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district are unhappy with the authorities over the stalled construction of a much-needed hospital building.
For nine years, the project has remained incomplete, leaving the area’s 12000-plus residents without adequate medical facilities and forcing them to travel longer distances for treatment.
“The construction of the New Type Primary Health Center (NTPHC), initiated in 2016, has been inexplicably halted,” said Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, a local resident.
He added that this inaction has had a severe impact on patients, who must endure considerable hardship and travel long distances even for minor ailments.
Zahoor Bhat further alleged that DDC Chairman Abdul Ganie Bhat has neglected the village and its needs, claiming that funds were inappropriately allocated to NC workers for personal gain. He stated that despite bringing the issue to the DDC Chairman’s attention multiple times, no action has been taken.
Bhat appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene and investigate the matter, demanding strict action against those misusing government funds.
Another local resident, Fayaz Ahmad Shahri, raised concerns over the deteriorating state of the abandoned building, which, he claimed, has become a haven for drug addicts. “Crores of rupees have been spent on this project, yet it appears to have been a complete waste of money,” he lamented.
Shahri also said that the inadequacy of the existing Primary Health Center (PHC), citing its small size and severe shortage of doctors. Residents feel the government is simply ignoring their plight.
“They should complete the construction work immediately so that we can finally have access to proper healthcare,” he urged.
The residents claim they have repeatedly raised this issue during government initiatives like ‘Back to Village,’ but despite repeated assurances, no tangible progress has been made.
They are now appealing to the Lieutenant Governor’s administration and the deputy commissioner Bandipora to intervene and address their long-standing grievances urgently.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri, stated that the NTPHC project in Gundjahangeer is facing funding issues, which have placed it in the “languishing” category. He assured that work will resume as soon as the necessary funds are released.
