Examiner Bureau | Pulwama:
The District Administration Pulwama has set an end-of-October target, wherever feasible, for making the Outpatient Department (OPD) at AIIMS Awantipora functional, as the prestigious healthcare project has achieved around 81 per cent physical progress.
District Development Commissioner Kuldeep Krishan Sidha issued the directions during a review meeting focused on construction, pending works, statutory clearances, staffing and operational preparedness. He stressed that the priority must now shift from reporting construction progress to making completed facilities available to patients.
Officials informed the meeting that the project’s financial progress had crossed 72 per cent, while the revised master plan and associated changes had been approved.
Reviewing Phase I, the DDC was informed that Hospital Block-1 had been completed, while Hospital Block-2 was around 99 per cent complete. Sidha directed the executing agency to resolve the remaining issues on priority to facilitate the early start of OPD services.
Electrical substations and related works were also reported to be around 99 per cent complete, with testing and commissioning under way. The DDC directed officials to finish the remaining work and commissioning within two weeks, stressing that essential infrastructure must be ready ahead of winter.
For Phase II, covering academic, administrative and hostel buildings, the executing agency was asked to complete the remaining civil works within 20 days wherever technically feasible and make the buildings functional by the end of November.
Work on Phase III, including hospital, academic and residential blocks, hostels and external development components, was reported to be approximately 75–80 per cent complete. Sidha called for accelerated execution and early completion of the shopping complex and guest house.
The meeting also reviewed the arrangements required to begin patient services, including medical staff, equipment, utilities, transport and statutory clearances. The DDC directed officials to ensure that senior residents and other required personnel were available and to submit details of manpower and facilities ready for operationalisation.
All concerned departments were asked to submit pending no-objection certificates (NOCs) before the end of October and prepare a time-bound action plan to address outstanding issues.
Water supply, fire safety and electricity infrastructure were also reviewed. Officials reported that these essential services were at an advanced stage, with the remaining work being taken up on priority. Sidha directed that the facilities be completed, tested and made fully functional without delay.
He also called for arrangements to procure or provide buses to meet the transportation needs of patients, students and staff. Additional Deputy Commissioner Awantipora Mushtaq Ahmad Lone was asked to coordinate with the concerned stakeholders to resolve pending issues.
The DDC assured that the district administration would extend the necessary support to expedite the project and directed all departments and executing agencies to identify unfinished work, set clear deadlines and ensure timely completion of their respective components.
The meeting was attended by Additional District Development Commissioner Pulwama Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, Chief Planning Officer Aashiq Khanday, a representative of the Executive Director of AIIMS Awantipora, senior engineers from the concerned departments, Chief Medical Officer Pulwama, Tehsildar Awantipora, Executive Officer of the Municipal Committee Awantipora and other officials.
