50-bed Ayush Hospital in Kupwara’s Kulangam awaits completion

Kupwara, May 6: The construction of a 50-bed Ayush hospital in Kulangam area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district remains incomplete despite a six-year lapse. Local residents have been eagerly awaiting completion of the project to avail healthcare services.

The residents said that this central sponsored project being constructed under National Ayush Mission was to be completed in 2022 but authorities have failed to accomplish the project much to the disappointment of locals. “Following approval, the construction was started in 2019 but after the passage of over six years, authorities have failed to accomplish the construction of this hospital. Even though several deadlines have passed, the authorities are yet to complete the project,” a local from Kulangam told Greater Kashmir, wishing anonymity.

“Once completed, this hospital would serve as a lifeline to the entire district. It will upgrade healthcare facilities in the district. We are thankful to the central government for this unique project but the nodal agency has dashed our hopes as it has failed to complete the project on time,” he added. “The delay in the completion of the hospital has resulted in the cost escalation from Rs 7 crore to Rs 11 crore and if the work remains halted for more time, the cost escalation would go beyond Rs 11 crore,” said another local.

The residents said that they have approached the concerned authorities several times for accomplishing the project but to no avail. Meanwhile, Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Langate Shiekh Khursheed told Greater Kashmir that he has already raised the issue with the Director Ayush. He expressed hope that concrete steps would be taken soon to resume the construction work on the hospital.