Excelsior Correspondent
![Minister for Housing Raman Bhalla addressing public gathering at Gangyal on Friday.](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/page539-300x168.jpg)
JAMMU, Dec 20: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla today said that Union Health Ministry has approved the proposal for construction of 100-bedded hospital near Government Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, Gangyal.
He said with the completion of the new hospital the burden on the Government Medical College (GMC), Gandhi Nagar Hospital and SMGS Hospital would be reduced to a certain extent.
The Minister while addressing a gathering at Gangyal informed that the Central Government has released Rs. 52 crore for construction of 3-storey complex on available 16 kanal land near Government Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, Gangyal. He asked the executing agency Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board (JKHB) to immediately call the tenders so that the project could be started.
The Minister said the hospital would also be equipped with all modern and specialised healthcare facilities like CT scan machine, X-ray, laboratory, resuscitation room, analyzer room, blood bank, physiotherapy skin, ultra sound, orthopaedics and other major treatment facilities to cater to the growing rush of patients and reduce referral cases to SMGS, Gandhi Nagar and GMC Hospitals.
For facilitating the people, Mr. Bhalla further said that Government has approved Rs. 80 lakh for installation of digital X-ray machine in Government Gandhi Nagar hospital. He said the facility will be made available at the hospital soon.
Reiterating Government’s determination to provide better basic amenities to the people, the Minister said that it has taken several innovative measures to raise the living standard of the people, including those residing in peripheral areas of the urban centers.
Listing the developmental activities taken up in Gangyal, Mr. Bhalla said that the Government has spent Rs. 3.5 crore for improving the drinking water scenario in the locality including laying of water supply pipes in water deficit areas.
For improving the drinking water facilities in Gandhi Nagar and its adjoining areas, he said the Government has already constructed 22 deep drill tube wells including Over Head Tanks , while more 19 tube wells have been approved for improving the water supply in drinking water deficit areas. He said that the project would be started soon after completing tendering formalities.
The Minister stressed upon the officers to redouble their efforts and accelerate pace on all ongoing works in their respective areas within stipulated time frame. He directed them to ensure use of quality material in execution of the works, adding that the objective of the Government was to create durable basic infrastructure across the state for providing better facilities to the people.
Mr. Bhalla said that Government has spent crores of rupees to provide improved basic amenities to the people, adding the execution of several ambitious projects under PHE, R&B, JMC and ERA are under progress on war-footing. He said that centre was providing liberal financial assistance to the state Government in various developmental activities.
Regarding blacktopping of Gangyal and Babliana link roads, the Minister said the upgradation works on these roads would be started immediately starting the blacktopping season for the convenience of general public.