Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 26: In a tale of unfulfilled promises and wasted resources, the construction of the Public Health Centre (PHC) in the Kullan area of Ganderbal district, initiated in 2010, remains incomplete after more than a decade, despite an expenditure of approximately Rs 1.37 crore.
The PHC, which was intended to address a pressing need for healthcare facilities in the area, saw its construction halted abruptly for reasons yet unknown, leaving the partially completed structure to deteriorate into a state of disrepair.
Bashir Ahmad, a concerned resident, recollected, “The work was started in 2010 when Mian Altaf was the MLA. After a year of swift progress, the construction came to an abrupt halt. The necessary funds were allocated to the Housing Board, with the R&B Department serving as the executive agency. Regrettably, the building remains incomplete for nearly 12 years.”
Residents of the area emphasize the critical need for a functioning healthcare facility, given the area’s vulnerability to accidents, as well as its strategic location along the road connecting Kashmir with Ladakh.
“The area is crucial, with the Amarnath Yatra passing through it and also making it a vital link between Kashmir and Ladakh. Its potential contribution to the local healthcare infrastructure cannot be underestimated, but it appears that the authorities have not taken it seriously,” the residents asserted.
Questions have arisen regarding the allocation and utilization of the substantial funds earmarked for the hospital’s construction.
Residents contend that the expenditure so far has been squandered, transforming the unattended building into a breeding ground for anti-social activities, particularly drug abuse.
Expressing their frustration with the authorities, the local populace suggests two possible solutions. They propose that the unfinished building should either be completed as a fully functional PHC or dismantled to provide space for a nearby school grappling with limited facilities.
“There is a school nearby with inadequate space for its students. If the authorities are unable to complete the PHC, they should hand it over to the Education Department, ensuring that the children have the space they need,” Bashir Ahmad emphasized.
Residents are adamant that a resolution be reached promptly, advocating for either the completion of the PHC or its transformation into a recreational area for the youth. “This situation is shameful; Rs 1.37 crore has been spent, and it has all gone to waste,” they lamented.
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