Srinagar, Oct 7: In 2009, government assured the residents of Maharaj Gunj that a hospital would be constructed in this Shahr-e-Khaas area while some initial amount was sanctioned for the construction. But, the promise remains a promise as no ground work has been done till now.
 The Maharaj Gunj residents complained that the government promised to build a hospital in their area but two years on, no such initiative has been taken.

THE HOSPITAL
 The hospital was planned to be built in Ganiatmanz, Maharaj Gunj, a historical place which sans required health-care facilities. According to locals, the identified site for the hospital houses three-old structures which were planned to be removed. But till date, those structures remain untouched.

THE FUNDING
 Locals added that an amount of Rs 5.21 crore was sanctioned for the construction of 50-60 bed hospital and the rehabilitation of the to be affected house owners.
 “Government sanctioned money for the hospital construction and rehabilitation of house owners earlier this year but on ground nothing substantial has been done so far. Leave apart any construction even the demolition of the old ones hasn’t been undertaken,” Khursheed Ahmad, a local said.

‘THE INFLUENCE’
 The locals alleged that there are some “influential” residents and shopkeepers in Mufti Kocha, the other side of the area who demand their own relocation for the construction of the hospital there.
 “Some influential residents including shopkeepers want their structures to be removed for the hospital and are demanding huge compensation from the government against it,” a local,  seconded by others said, pleading anonymity.
 Locals added that the site earlier identified for the hospital was more feasible as only three old structures would have to be removed and would cost less to the state exchequer.
 “The earlier identified place for the hospital has only three houses which need to be removed and among them, one is already uninhabited. On contrary, the Mufti Kocha proposal would require more of funds for relocation as not only houses but even shops will have to be compensated,” residents of Maharaj Gunj added.

MLA SPEAKS
 When contacted Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Muhammad Sagar who happens to be the local MLA said he has sanctioned Rs one crore almost two years back for the hospital construction at the Maharaj Gunj Public Park. “But the people didn’t let them construct it there,” he added.
 “I approached Mirwaiz Umar Farooq through the then director Muzaffar Jan to convince people so that we could construct the hospital in the park but despite all this, they (locals) didn’t agree,” the Minister told Greater Kashmir.
 Thereafter he said the government changed the plan. “Then we planned to construct it in Mufti Kocha and for that, we have to demolish many structures including houses and shops. Since it is a time taking project, negotiations are going on with the residents of that area regarding rehabilitation,” he added.

OFFICIALS SPEAK
 On the other hand, Director Health, Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman said that government was negotiating the compensation money with the residents and “once it is fixed, we will start the work on hospital construction.”
 “I have recommended the project to the government almost six months back and did it again a month back but the detailed project report (DPR) of the hospital is not ready yet because government is still negotiating and fixing compensation with the residents,” Saleem-ur-Rehman, Director Health told Greater Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 7 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 7 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 8 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST