Even after passing of three years the state health authorities have failed to utilise Rs 140 core funded by World Bank (WB) for reconstruction of health infrastructure damaged in 2014 floods in Kashmir.
“Not a single penny of the Rs 140 crore has been utilised so far,” a senior official confirmed to Greater Kashmir.
The devastating flood had caused extensive damage tobuildings and equipment at Children Hospital, SMHS Hospital, Bone and JointHospital and maternity hospital Lal Ded.
As per the approved proposal a new building with modularoperation theatres and wards was to be constructed at Bone and Joint Hospitalwhile a separate building was to be build at Lal Ded Hospital, with modernmulti-stage labour suites, advanced fertility center and library.
An official said some of the structures in these hospitalshad been declared unsafe after they had developed cracks.
However, this unsafe infrastructure is still being used forpatient services owing to absence of alternate space.
While Lal Ded and Bone and Joint Hospitals were coveredunder the WB program the work at SMHS Hospital had to be taken under stategovernment assistance.
Last year, Roads and Buildings (R&B) department, after afresh assessment, again declared all the building identified for reconstructionas “unsafe and dangerous if put to use”.
The official said the unnecessary delay taking up theprojects has put question mark on whether the 2020 deadline would be met.
“Since not even the foundation work of these buildings hasbeen taken up, the projects are going to take at least five more years,” theofficial said.
Principal GMC Srinagar, Prof Kaiser Ahmed acknowledged thatthere was an “inordinate delay” in started work on the projects.
He said the project executing agencies had been finalised”only recently” and they had a meeting with the agencies two days ago. “We areon track now,” he said.
The Principal blamed poor response to tenders and relocationof the site as the reason for the delay.
“Unfortunately, we had only one bidder for the projects inthe past and as per laid down norms we could not have gone ahead,” he said.
He said the projects “should not take very long” as therewas no issue of funding. “Once the work starts, the funds will be released,” hesaid.