Stuck in Limbo: Srinagar's two PHCs face a decade of delays

Srinagar, Mar 17: Two crucial healthcare facilities in Srinagar have become stark symbols of administrative delays and infrastructure neglect as they remain incomplete after more than a decade since their inception.

The Urban Primary Health Centers (UPHCs) at SR Gunj and Palpora, first envisioned in 2015, and 2011 respectively, have weathered three government changes and Jammu & Kashmir's transition from state to Union Territory status, yet construction work remains stalled.

According to official documents obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by activist MM Shuja, the Health Department has acknowledged significant delays. "The construction work of building for UPHC Palpora was started in 2015 and the work is still under process," the department stated in its response.

The situation is even more concerning for additional facilities, as "the construction work of additional blocks for UPHC Palpora were started in 2011 but the work has been halted in 2012... till now the construction work is still pending."

The case of SR Gunj PHC is particularly distressing. Residents report that this healthcare facility has served the community for over 145 years before suffering devastating damage during the 2014 floods. "The construction work for building a new PHC was started after the 2014 deluge, but, unfortunately, the work has been left midway, adding misery to the people living in the area and adjacent localities," explained a local who has witnessed the deterioration of healthcare services in the region.

The impact on local healthcare delivery has been severe. Residents from both areas have been forced to travel considerable distances to access basic medical services, creating additional hardships for elderly patients and pregnant women.

In a recent development that offers a glimmer of hope, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, addressed the Assembly last week  regarding the status of these projects. Responding to concerns raised by former Speaker and MLA Mubarak Gul about healthcare infrastructure in the Eidgah constituency, Itoo announced that a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been proposed for completing Phase I and executing Phase II of the PHC at Palpora.

"The construction of the Phase-I building, which began in 2011-12, is nearly complete except for some internal finishing works," Itoo stated. She explained that following administrative reorganization, the project was transferred from Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) to the Public Works (Roads & Buildings) Department. The revised DPR, which includes funding for Phase II, has been projected under the District Capex Budget.

Itoo further assured the Assembly that "once the internal finishing works are completed, the PHC Palpora, currently functioning from an old NTPHC building, will be shifted to the new building." However, she did not provide a specific timeline for completion, raising concerns about further potential delays.

Budget allocation issues have reportedly plagued both projects. Sources within the administration, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that funds earmarked for these facilities were either diverted to other projects or remained unutilized due to procedural complications. The cost escalation resulting from these delays has been substantial, with current estimates suggesting that completing both facilities will now require nearly twice the original budget.

As these healthcare infrastructure projects continue to languish in bureaucratic and administrative limbo, the residents of SR Gunj, Palpora, and surrounding areas continue to face the consequences of inadequate healthcare facilities, highlighting a critical gap between government promises and actual delivery of essential services.