Jammu Tawi, Jan 9: 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 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.
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. 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.
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.
