Solan super specialty hospital project held up over unpaid power line shift
More than a year after the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) sought Rs 53.65 lakh for shifting a 33 KV power line from the construction site of an upcoming super specialty hospital at Kather Bypass, the required funds are yet to be provided. This financial hurdle has further delayed the project, which has already been facing repeated fund shortages.
Initially, the power board estimated the shifting cost at Rs 38.96 lakh, but it was revised to Rs 53.65 lakh in November 2024 based on updated cost calculations for the financial year 2023-24. An official from HPSEBL stated that the cost may rise further as the work is yet to be executed.
The project has already suffered delays due to financial constraints. The contractor had previously halted work for several months due to pending payments amounting to crores. Though work resumed later, the lack of funds has now stalled the power line relocation, further obstructing construction progress.
The Public Works Department (PWD) is executing the project on behalf of the Health and Family Welfare Department. Despite Solan being the home district of Health Minister Dr DR Shandil, the release of funds for the project has been inconsistent. Executive Engineer of PWD, Ravi Bhatti, said treasury restrictions delayed payments. However, Rs 38 lakh has been disbursed, and the remaining amount will be provided soon.
As of now, Rs 48 crore has been spent on constructing one block of the hospital, while the estimated total cost is around Rs 70 crore. More funds will be needed to complete the project. The first phase, which includes the administrative block, a 200-bed hospital, and a mother-and-child healthcare unit, began construction in 2022.
The previous BJP-led government had sanctioned Rs 29 crore for the project, with its total cost projected at Rs 90.33 crore. Additionally, Rs 10 crore was allocated years ago to establish a mother-and-child healthcare (MCH) facility. However, space limitations in the old hospital prevented its construction, and these funds are now being utilised for the new building.
Former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had laid the foundation stone for the new hospital building in September 2021. The old hospital faced significant space constraints, which not only stalled Central projects but also created inconvenience for patients due to narrow corridors and overcrowded outpatient departments.
