Keonjhar: The construction of the government medical college here is unlikely to be completed in the scheduled time while medical colleges in Mayurbhanj and Balasore were made operational.
The inordinate delay in its construction work has triggered discontent in various quarters. People are not sure when the medical infrastructure work will be ready, given the slow pace of work.
About 14 months have passed since Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone for the 100-seat medical college in November 2016. The Chief Minister had reviewed its progress in May 2016 and has asked the department to complete its work in two years.
Long after its foundation was laid, its construction was started in January, 2018 and is expected to be completed in 2020. Tata Project bagged the tender at a cost of `314 crore following a cabinet approval in 2017. The PWD has undertaken the work of the boundary wall.
The district administration has provided 40 acres of land and funds from DMF for the medical college.
Members of Nagarika Manch, a local outfit, are upset over the slow pace of work. They seek to know the reason for delay. “When there is no constraint of funds for the medical college, it is not clear why there is delay in carrying forward the work.” It is stated that as per guidelines, there is a need for approval by various departments. As there is delay in official approvals of the departments, it work is getting delayed.
However, Sushant Parida, the quality control manager of the construction company, asserted that the construction of the medical building will be completed in two years.
PNN
