Over bridge/underpass between GMC, Associated Hospitals
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: A Division Bench of High Court of J&K and Ladakh has directed Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) Jammu to come up with a proposal/DPR with regard to the connectivity of the Government Medical College, Jammu with other associated hospitals, across the road, for safe passage to patients, doctors and para-medics having regard to the repeated communications addressed by the Principal and Dean, Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu to the PWD (R&B) Department from June 12th, 2023 to March 4th, 2025.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
These directions were passed in the much publicised Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a renowned RTI activist Balwinder Singh highlighting the shortage of doctors and para-medics in the far-flung areas of both the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
When the PIL came up for hearing, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed with Advocate Mohd Zulkarnain Chowdhary appearing for the petitioner submitted that despite several communications of Principal and Dean of Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu for preparation of DPR for over-bridge/underpass Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) Jammu has remained indifferent and has not come up with the DPR which will facilitate the providing of safe and unrestricted access to patients and staff for ferrying to the prestigious health institutions.
Advocate Ahmed further submitted that despite the express directions of the Division Bench dated March 24th, 2025, the Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B) has not filed the requisite DPR nor he has appeared in person, thus showing complete disregard to the directions of the Division Bench in a matter of wide public importance.
At this stage, Senior AAG S S Nanda appearing for UT of J&K caused appearance and submitted that Chief Engineer PWD (R&B), Jammu is present in person before the Division Bench along with the compliance report which has been filed before the Registry.
Senior AAG, in the open court, read the contents of the compliance report filed on behalf of the Chief Engineer PWD(R&B) Jammu wherein it was submitted that the proposal for the project namely “Construction of flyover from Pawan Ice Cream to Shakuntla Theatre with one leg to DIET Rotary including direct connectivity to Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu and Maheshpura Chowk from flyover”‘ is at conceptual stage.
After going through the compliance report, the DB observed, “perusal of the Chief Engineer’s affidavit shows that the project seems to be a very huge one and is time consuming and therefore we direct the respondents to come up with a proposal/DPR with regard to the connectivity of the Government Medical College, Jammu with other associated Hospitals across the road”.
“The Chief Engineer is directed to file latest compliance report with regard to the communications of the Principal and Dean on the next date of hearing”, the DB added.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
