Chief Secretary Urges Swift Completion of Health Infrastructure Projects
SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of major health infrastructure projects across Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized the need to accelerate ongoing works and ensure all projects are completed and fully operational during the forthcoming working season.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, PWD; Secretary, Health & Medical Education; Director SKIMS; Director General, Budget; Principals of Government Medical Colleges in Srinagar, Jammu, Anantnag, Baramulla, Kathua, Doda, Rajouri, Udhampur, and Handwara; Managing Director, JKMSCL; Directors Health Services Jammu and Kashmir; concerned Chief Engineers of R&B; and other senior officers.
The Chief Secretary reviewed in detail the progress of seven newly established medical colleges and their associated hospitals, including college buildings, administrative blocks, hostels, residential quarters, and hospital facilities. He also assessed infrastructure upgradation works at older GMCs in Srinagar and Jammu, including key projects such as the additional block at LD Hospital, Theatre block at SMHS Hospital, Nursing and Boys Hostel at GMC Srinagar, and extension of the ENT Block.
Special emphasis was laid on timely completion of the LD Hospital project, funded by the World Bank under JTFRP, with a committed deadline of August 2026. He directed that the State Cancer Institutes in Jammu and Srinagar be made fully operational at the earliest with installation of LINAC machines and other advanced equipment.
At SKIMS, the Chief Secretary called for fast-tracking the DPR for extension of the Emergency Block and expediting work on the Nuclear Medicine Block, which has achieved around 30% progress so far.
In Jammu, he stressed the need to make B&J Hospital fully operational with all mandated facilities, while reviewing projects including Chopra Nursing Home, the 243-bedded Labour Block at SMGS Hospital, and upgradation works at Indira Gandhi Government Dental College.
Other projects discussed included the IPD Block and College building at SKIMS Bemina, 125-bedded hospital at Reshipora, Budgam, 50-bedded hospital at Sunderbani, SDH Nowshera upgradation, 100-bedded MCH at Lamberi, Rajouri, SDH Billawar upgradation, Additional 100-bedded IPD Block at DH Kishtwar, Homeopathic College and Hostel at Kathua, and 243-bedded MCCH at Anantnag.
The Chief Secretary directed all departments and executing agencies to coordinate closely, adhere to timelines, and remove bottlenecks to ensure these critical healthcare projects are completed in mission mode and delivered to the public at the earliest.
