Jammu, Jan 09 (KNO): Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of ongoing and proposed health infrastructure projects across the UT, reiterating that strengthening healthcare facilities remains a top public service priority of the government.
The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department; Secretary, Health & Medical Education; Director, SKIMS; Managing Director, NHM; Principals of Government Medical Colleges; Director, Health Services, Kashmir/Jammu; Managing Director, HSCC; Chief Engineers of R&B, and other senior officers.
The review covered a wide spectrum of projects being executed by the Health & Medical Education Department, including works related to Government Medical Colleges, SKIMS, Dental Colleges, Health Services, SASCI projects and flagship centrally sponsored schemes such as PM-ABHIM and ECRP-II.
Taking a comprehensive project-wise review, the Chief Secretary examined physical and financial progress, utilisation of funds and issues hampering timely execution. He issued clear directions for expediting approvals, resolving inter-departmental bottlenecks, particularly those related to land and utilities, and ensuring strict adherence to timelines and quality standards.
He took this occasion to emphasise that delays in healthcare projects have a direct bearing on public welfare, he cautioned that such lapses would be reviewed seriously at the highest level and stressed the need to avoid cost overruns through efficient use of resources.
Additional Chief Secretary, PWD, Anil Kumar Singh took note of project-wise deadlines and issued on-the-spot directions to Chief Engineers to resolve site-specific bottlenecks so that works progress without interruption.
Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah presented an overview of the progress achieved since the last review meeting and outlined the department’s mechanism for regular monitoring of works.
During this meeting a detailed review was conducted of major infrastructure projects at GMC Jammu, GMC Srinagar and their associated hospitals, including the construction of the Bone and Joint Hospital, Jammu, and expansion of tertiary care facilities. The progress of works at Indira Gandhi Government Dental College & Hospital, Jammu was also reviewed, with emphasis on augmenting dental education and patient care infrastructure.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the status of new Government Medical Colleges at Anantnag, Doda, Kathua, Udhampur and Handwara, directing the executing agencies to strictly adhere to approved timelines.
At GMC Anantnag, the construction of a 249-bedded Mother and Child Care Hospital at MMABM Associated Hospital was discussed. It was informed that the project will now be funded under UT Capex, with a revised DPR incorporating furniture and furnishing requirements too.
At GMC Udhampur, issues related to space constraints for a sanctioned 50-bedded Critical Care Block under ECRP-II were reviewed, and directions were issued for early completion of NOC formalities for transfer of ITI land and buildings to facilitate hospital expansion. Infrastructure works at GMC Rajouri, including parking facilities, retaining walls, strengthening of electrical systems and hostels for resident doctors, were also reviewed.
Critical tertiary care infrastructure projects at SKIMS Soura and SKIMS Medical College Bemina were also discussed, with the Chief Secretary directing that these high-value projects be executed seamlessly to support advanced healthcare delivery in the Valley.
Under Health Services, major works including the 100-bedded Mother and Child Care Hospital at Lamberi (Rajouri), upgradation of SDH Billawar to 100 beds, 50-bedded Hospital at Sunderbani, upgradation of the 100-bedded Hospital at Nowshera and the 125-bedded District Hospital at Reshipora, Budgam were reviewed. It was noted that these projects will significantly strengthen secondary and district-level healthcare services across J&K.
Reviewing projects under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), the Chief Secretary was informed that 23 works have received financial approval, of which 13 are under execution. During the current financial year 2025–26, an amount of ₹34.98 Cr has been released under Capex and SASCI, with works worth over ₹20 Cr already executed.
He directed the department to rationalise non-starter and slow-moving projects, drop unviable works after due approval and re-propose them under appropriate funding windows to prevent blockage of funds.
A detailed presentation was also made by HSCC on the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) and ECRP-II, wherein it was informed that most of these critical care projects are going to be substantially completed by March, 2026 giving physical progress and expected date of completion in each project. Under ECRP-II, works amounting to ₹178.32 Cr were reviewed, with the Chief Secretary directing that physical progress be accelerated to match financial outlays.
The Chief Secretary concluded the meeting by reiterating that timely completion of health infrastructure projects is crucial for improving service delivery and directed all stakeholders to maintain close coordination to ensure tangible outcomes on the ground meeting deadlines without any delay—(KNO)