Incomplete medical centre irks residents

Ajay Ramola

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, October 7

Local residents are irked at the delay in the construction of a community health centre near Landour Bazaar in Mussoorie due to the lackadaisical approach of the Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam, the executive agency. The delay is causing difficulties to the residents who are not getting adequate health care in the town.

The construction work of the health centre that started in 2010 was scheduled to complete in 2013. However, due to the lackadaisical approach of the Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam, only a concrete structure stands at the site, making a mockery of the whole health care system.

The project was envisaged to provide a health facility equipped with modern amenities to tourists visiting the town and local residents alike. An old structure called the civil hospital was demolished to make way for the construction of the new structure at a cost of around Rs 3.50 crore.

The arrangement of catering for poor patients were made at St. Mary’s Government Hospital at Kulri Bazaar till the new hospital comes into existence, but the Uttar Pradesh Nirman Nigam failed to complete

the work, adding to the misery of local people who rush to Dehradun during any emergency.

Dr Sandeep Tandon, superintendent of the centre, said the delay in the construction work had forced them to run the health facility from staff quarters, leaving doctors with no option but to stay in rented accommodations in the town, which is an expensive proposition.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Nirman Nigam officials cited lack of funds as the main reason for the stalling of the work here. Residents have threatened that if the work of the health centre is not finished soon, they would launch an agitation in the town.