Work to set up health centres in Pinjore, Kalka commences

The construction of health centres and primary health facilities in Pinjore and Kalka has begun after Shivalik Vikas Manch State president and senior Congress leader, Vijay Bansal, submitted a memorandum to CM Nayab Singh Saini and Health Minister Aarti Rao on May 19.

Bansal’s memorandum had sought the start of construction of a sanctioned 200-bed hospital at Tipra village in Kalka, resumption of the long-delayed Urban Polyclinic project in Pinjore, and the establishment of a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in the Raipurrani–Raipatan area of Pinjore Block. Following his representation, the Health Department has initiated proceedings to move these projects forward. According to Bansal, officials confirmed that a budget proposal of approximately Rs 18.23 crore for the relocation of Kalka Civil Hospital and construction of the new Tipra hospital had been prepared in February this year.

However, Kalka MLA Shakti Rani Sharma later suggested that land identified at HMT Pinjore will be used instead for the 200-bed multi-speciality hospital, and a fresh proposal was sent on July 1.

Bansal objected, saying that the hospital must remain in Tipra, where the Municipal Council had already agreed to provide land worth Rs 18 crore. He argued that Kalka, Pinjore and Parwanoo residents are currently forced to rely on private hospitals or travel to Chandigarh, Panchkula for medical services, wasting both time and money. He also highlighted that the local population has grown manifold over the years, but the area still does not have adequate healthcare facilities.