AIIMS-Bilaspur to jointly tackle dog menace, traffic issues with admn

The growing menace of stray dogs and traffic congestion at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bilaspur, will soon be jointly addressed by AIIMS authorities and the district administration. This was decided during a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rahul Kumar in Bilaspur on Tuesday.

Key issues discussed in the meeting included improving patient convenience, infrastructure development, dog control measures and traffic management around the AIIMS campus.

DC Rahul Kumar said the persistent stray dog problem in and around the campus had become a serious concern for patients and staff alike. To address this, it was decided that the local panchayat, Municipal Council and the Animal Husbandry Department would work in coordination to implement a permanent solution.

In terms of infrastructure, the DC said the matter of forest clearance would be expedited to begin construction of a rest house within the AIIMS campus, which will enhance patient and attendant facilities. Additionally, a 132 KV power sub-station has been proposed at Kangu in the district to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to AIIMS. “Once completed, this project will guarantee consistent power for the hospital,” he said.

The DC also announced the proposal to establish a Kendriya Vidyalaya in the district to benefit the children of doctors and staff serving at AIIMS. He directed the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sadar and AIIMS administration to identify suitable land for the school at the earliest.

Further, an LPG gas pipeline project within the AIIMS campus has received budget approval from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and gas supply is expected to commence soon, significantly improving the facility’s energy resources.

To address the ongoing traffic issues near the AIIMS campus, the DC instructed the Superintendent of Police to take appropriate action, including declaring the area a ‘No Horn Zone’, noting that loud horn noises cause distress to patients receiving treatment.

Officials from AIIMS, the district administration, police and heads of various departments were present at the meeting and pledged their support to ensure timely resolution of the discussed issues.