Srinagar, March 22: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo Saturday informed the Assembly that the construction of a new building for Chest Diseases (CD) Hospital in Dalgate has been stalled due to the pending approval of the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
The statement was made in response to a question raised by National Conference MLA Sheikh Ahsan Ahmad Pardesi, who expressed concerns over the hospital operating in an aging structure and sought updates on the project’s status.
Responding to the question, Itoo said that the CD Hospital continues to function in a heritage building, and a DPR for a G+4 multi-storied structure had been prepared. However, she stated that the project had not received Administrative Approval (AAA) as the executing agency, JKPCC Ltd had not responded to observations raised by the Development Commissioner (Works), PW(R&B) Department. “Since the DPR remained unvetted, the necessary technical approvals and financial sanctions were not granted, which stalled the execution of the project,” she said.
She further pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted progress, as the hospital was designated a COVID-19 treatment center, preventing any construction activity. The merger of JKPCC Ltd. with the Public Works Department (PWD-R&B) also added to the delays. “The subsuming of JKPCC into PWD(R&B) also affected the progress of the project, leading to further delays in taking it forward,” she added.
Itoo informed the House that the department now intends to prepare a fresh DPR through the PW(R&B) Department based on the latest Schedule of Rates (SoR). She said the project would move forward only after obtaining all necessary clearances and NoCs.
