15 years on, Tral veterinary hospital project remains unfinished

Pulwama, May 2: More than 15 years after it was approved, the construction of a dedicated veterinary hospital in Tral area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district continues to remain incomplete, forcing locals and livestock owners to manage with inadequate and unsafe facilities.
The project was sanctioned around 15 years ago with an estimated cost of Rs 28 lakh. While construction work had initially commenced, it was discontinued midway under unclear circumstances, locals said. Since then, the project has seen no revival, with the half-built structure now standing as a stark reminder of official indifference, they added.
An official aware of the matter said, “People had high expectations when the project was approved. There was visible progress in the beginning, but suddenly the work stopped and never resumed.”
In the absence of a proper hospital building, veterinary services in Tral are currently being provided from an old and deteriorating structure, which residents say lacks even the most basic facilities.
“The existing setup is in a deplorable condition. It is neither safe nor equipped to handle the growing number of cases. Both veterinary staff and livestock owners face serious inconvenience,” said a local resident.
Another resident said the neglect comes at a time when animal husbandry has become a key source of livelihood for many families in the area.
“Over the years, more people have taken up sheep rearing and dairy farming. But without proper veterinary care, we are left struggling. The authorities have failed to address this pressing issue,” he said.
Locals said the lack of adequate veterinary infrastructure is directly affecting their income, as delays in treatment often lead to the loss of livestock.
“For us, livestock is our main source of sustenance. When animals fall ill, we are forced to travel to far-off places for treatment, which not only delays care but also increases the risk of losses,” another resident said.
The residents have appealed to MLA Tral Rafiq Ahmad Naik and the concerned departments to intervene and ensure that the long-pending project is restarted and completed at the earliest. (KNO)