Srinagar, Dec 14:Attendants visiting New Children Hospital Bemina, an associated hospital of GMC Srinagar are facing inconveniences due lack of an overhead footbridge and zebra crossing outside the hospital.
Attendants from different areas of Kashmir visiting the hospital on daily basis said that the lack of overhead footbridge is compelling people to cross the road in a jiffy posing risk to their lives.
Recently, the Government shifted the Children’s Hospital from Sonwar to Bemina while the attendants have been facing multiple problems in the newly inaugurated hospital.
Nasir Ahmad, an attendant from Pattan who recently visited the hospital and accompanied his ailing niece said zebra crossing and overhead bridge is need of the hour.
“Patients and attendants coming from different parts of Kashmir face a lot of problem when they cross the road. There should be an identified crossing at least as the highway remains busy with huge flow of traffic,” he said.
When the 500-bedded hospital was thrown open in September then the attendants had raised the issue with the authorities but till date nothing has been done in this regard.
The attendant demanded construction of an overhead bridge outside the valley’s lone pediatric tertiary care hospital just like the one constricted near JVC few years before.
Bilal Ahmad, from Budgam said he recently escaped a miracle when he crossed the road along with his two ailing children during traffic jam outside the hospital.
“Attendants have to go out to buy medicines 24/7 as this is a new hospital and there no private pharmacy shops near the hospital. The authorities should take note of this issue. There are also chances of a road accident,” he said.
A large number of patients visit the hospital every day from the by-pass and it is difficult for them to cross the road as the place sans crossing.
“There should be at least a zebra crossing and traffic signal which would control the flow. There is also not a single traffic cop to control the traffic and allow patients to pass the road without any hindrance,” he said.
The attendant said it is also difficult for ambulances to reach the hospital in case of emergencies as these have to take u turn two kilometres away.
Chief Engineer, R&B Rafiq Ahmad Rafiq said they will take an assessment for the requirement of overhead bridge but till date, they haven’t received any formal public request.
“We will also check the road safety parameters. It is a highway and the highway does not have more crossings. But we can explore the possibilities for an overhead bridge which can be done by conducting road safety audit,” he said.
