Raja Syed Rather
Ganderbal, Sep 16: Due to the inadequacy of funds, the construction of the much-awaited Primary Health Center Kullan in Ganderbal has not been completed in a decade.
The construction of the hospital was started in 2012 and delay in funds hampered the progress in construction, residents said.
They said the hospital has been under construction for the last 10 years and hasn’t been completed as of now.
They said that the foundation stone for the 50-bed hospital was laid during the NC-Congress government with an estimated Rs 2.50 crore budget. The project is being executed by the J & K Housing Board.
“We are forced to travel to other hospitals to perform the basic tests,” a local resident, Shabir Ahmad Raina said. “Presently the hospital is working from a small, old building and the space scarcity has been adversely affecting the functioning of the hospital,” he added.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for the hospital authorities to admit patients because there is not enough space to accommodate them, Sheikh said.
He added that the hospital is located on Srinagar-Leh highway.
Locals said that more than 35,000 people from adjoining villages are dependent on the facility and they have to take their patients either to SDH Kangan or to some hospital in Srinagar for treatment.
The residents appealed to the concerned authorities to look into the matter and complete the construction of the hospital as soon as possible.
An official said that the pending funds of the building have been released and the JK Housing Board Executive agency is doing a technical process for the same.
