Five years on, upgrade of Anantnag hospital incomplete

Five years after missing the first deadline, the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) has managed to complete just one of the three blocks at the Anantnag District Hospital.

The project to construct three additional blocks on the hospital premises was proposed in 2007 with an aim to upgrade the medical facility. The government had set 2010 deadline for the completion of the project.

Despite drawing flak from successive governments for the delay, the JKPCC is yet to start work on the other two blocks.

After missing several deadlines the JKPCC completed and handed over Block C to the hospital authorities late last year.

Ironically, the hospital administration shifted the entire facility to Block C, leaving the old building defunct. And now, the hospital staff and patients are ruing lack of space.

“We do not have a place to sit in the hospital,” said one of the doctors, adding that the upgraded hospital was supposed to have separate sections for orthopaedics, medicine and trauma.

“Lack of space has forced us to cram up all the three departments in one room,” a senior doctor at the hospital told on condition of anonymity.

Medical Superintendent Dr Abdul Majeed Mirab said one more block was to be handed over to hospital in December. “But at the current pace, it is highly unlikely that the block will be anywhere near completion,” said Dr Mirab.

The Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation authorities, however, cited lack of funds as a reason for the delay.

“There is no delay on our part. Completion of any project is subject to funds available,” said Daleep Thusoo, Managing Director, JKPCC.