Proposed over bridge between GMC & Associated Hospitals
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 27: In the much publicized Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting shortage of doctors in the peripheral areas of Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh, a Division Bench of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh comprising Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice M A Chowdhary has directed Senior AAG S S Nanda appearing for UT of J&K to file ‘Action Taken Report’ on the various communications addressed by the Principal and Dean Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu to the Chief Engineer PW (R&B) Department, Jammu with regard to the preparation of DPR of the proposed over-bridge or underpass for connecting Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu with the Bone and Joint Hospital, Chest Diseases Hospital, Psychiatric Hospital and upcoming new Critical Care Block Hospital within the premises of CD Hospital.
When the PIL filed by RTI activist Balwinder Singh came up for hearing, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed with Advocates Rahul Raina, Supriya Chouhan, M Zulkarnain Chowdhary and Aadhar Gupta appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has filed a fresh Miscellaneous Application seeking a direction to Chief Engineer PW (R&B) Department, Jammu to place before the court DPR of the proposed over-bridge for connecting GMC, Jammu with Associated Hospitals.
Advocate S S Ahmed drew the attention of the Division Bench towards several communications starting from June 12, 2023 from Principal and Dean GMC, Jammu to the Chief Engineer PW (R&B) Department, Jammu followed by various reminders and lastly the communication dated March 4, 2025 requiring the PW (R&B) Department, Jammu to do the needful by the submitting the requisite DPR paving way for the construction of proposed over bridge or underpass.
Despite the lapse of almost 22 months, the DPR has not been prepared by the office of Chief Engineer PW (R&B) Department, Jammu which shows the non-serious/callous approach towards the vital issue of health care by the PW (R&B) Department Jammu, the counsel for the petitioner submitted.
After considering the submissions of Advocate S S Ahmed, the Division Bench issued notice to the respondents which was accepted by Senior AAG S S Nanda on behalf of UT of J&K and he was directed to file the ‘Action Taken Report’ on the various communications addressed by the Principal and Dean GMC, Jammu well before the next date of hearing.
The Division Bench further directed that the Registry to furnish a copy of order to Secretary PW (R&B) Department and the Chief Engineer PW (R&B) Department, Jammu to do the needful well before the next date of hearing failing which the Chief Engineer shall appear in person before the court on the next date of hearing.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
