Srinagar, Sep 25: The construction of the 50-bed hospital at Pahalgam has achieved around 75 per cent physical progress, with the government stating that the remaining works are being pursued on priority after resolving issues related to revised approvals.
The status of the project was disclosed by the Health and Medical Education Department in a written reply to a starred question raised by Pahalgam MLA Altaf Ahmad Wani in the Legislative Assembly.
According to the government, Administrative Approval for the project was accorded in March 2020 at an estimated cost of ₹19.90 crore, covering the hospital building along with associated civil, electrical, mechanical and allied works.
The department stated that ₹16.75 crore has been released for the project, against which expenditure of ₹10.54 crore had been incurred up to March 31, 2026. A further expenditure of ₹33.31 lakh has been recorded during the current financial year so far.
The government said the DG set has been successfully commissioned and handed over, while the laundry system, Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) and Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) have been supplied or installed and are presently at the commissioning stage.
Installation of the lift is also underway, while the remaining mechanical and electrical components are yet to be executed.
Explaining the delay, the government said an additional basement became necessary during execution due to site topography and level differences. This led to an increase in the built-up area and corresponding additional structural, architectural, allied, mechanical and electrical works.
The department also cited post-COVID escalation in equipment and installation costs as a factor behind the increase in the project cost, stating that additional funding would need to be explored.
The government said the progress of the project is being personally monitored and a review meeting has already been held with all stakeholders. The process for revised Administrative Approval has also been initiated and is expected to be accorded after receipt of the scrutinised revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) from DHS Kashmir.
On the demand for upgrading Primary Health Centres at Pahalgam, Sallar and Aishmuqam to Sub-District Hospitals, the government said there is presently no such proposal, as the department is focusing on consolidation and strengthening of existing health facilities.
It further stated that the three facilities do not qualify for upgradation to SDH level under the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS).
Citing IPHS-2022 norms, the government said districts with a population below five lakh and having a functional District Hospital do not require a Sub-District Hospital, while districts with a population between five and ten lakh can have one SDH. Thereafter, one SDH may be considered for every additional 10 lakh population for providing comprehensive secondary healthcare.
The government also noted that districts in Jammu and Kashmir already have more SDHs than the number envisaged under the IPHS-2022 norms.
