ANANTNAG: The long-stalled Rehmat-e-Alam Hospital project in Anantnag, envisioned over two decades ago, continues to remain an unfulfilled dream, plagued by delays, safety concerns, and escalating costs. Initially conceived to relocate the Maternity and Child Care Hospital (MCCH) from its unsafe Sherbagh premises, the project has faced numerous hurdles since the Health and Medical Education Department took over the facility from a local trust in 2017.
Safety Concerns Halt Progress
The primary obstacle to the hospital’s operationalization has been its structural integrity. A safety audit conducted by IIT Jammu in June 2021 declared the building unsafe for hospital use, a finding corroborated by subsequent assessments from NIT Srinagar. These audits recommended retrofitting and structural reinforcement of the building’s vital beams and columns. However, the estimated cost for these retrofitting measures has escalated significantly, with initial projections of Rs 6.5 crore revised to over Rs 37 crore for a 100-bedded facility, a figure now considered more expensive than constructing a new hospital.
Information available with The Chenab Times indicates that due to the prohibitive cost of retrofitting, the government has ruled out conducting any further safety audits or undertaking repairs on the existing structure. Instead, a proposal for a new 249-bedded Mother and Child Care Hospital (M&CCH) with an estimated cost of Rs 86 crore is reportedly in the administrative approval stage.
A History of Delays and Financial Woes
The project’s history is marked by a series of delays, including disputes between executing agencies, paucity of funds, and even the temporary occupation of the building by paramilitary forces. The Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation Limited (JKPCC), which was tasked with completing the structure, incurred costs of approximately Rs 6 crore of a sanctioned Rs 13 crore before work was halted. Administrative approval for strengthening the building and completing pending works was granted in May 2023, outlining costs for pending construction and structural reinforcements, but no significant progress has been reported since.
The original two-story structure, built by the Rehmat-e-Alam Trust two decades ago, was intended for expansion to four stories. Despite significant investment, the building remains incomplete, with work stalled for over five years. The lack of progress has drawn criticism from local residents and has highlighted the apparent waste of public funds.
Future Prospects and Local Impact
The current situation leaves the residents of Anantnag and surrounding areas without the much-needed upgraded healthcare facilities. The Maternity and Child Care Hospital continues to operate from its old, congested, and unsafe building, impacting the quality of care for expectant mothers and children. The proposed new hospital, while a potential solution, faces its own administrative approval process, adding further uncertainty to the timeline of its completion.
The Rehmat-e-Alam Hospital project, initiated with the noble intention of improving healthcare services, serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in implementing large-scale infrastructure projects in the region, leaving a dream unfulfilled for the past 26 years.
The Chenab Times News Desk
