The government on Friday said that the non-tenable site for government medical college Handwara was abandoned due to high risk of floods, while efforts to finalise alternative site are on.
Replying to a question of MLA Sajad Gani Lone, Health minister Sakina Itoo, said that reasons for abandoning the old GMC site are unprecedented floods.
She said that a committee headed by the chief engineer, PWD (R&B) department reported that the present site is non-tenable due to the high risk of flooding, which would put students, faculty, and infrastructure at risk.
“Chief engineer in subsequent meetings reiterated that the present site is not in a position to take forward and the proposed flood protection measures would not mitigate the risk of flooding, making it impossible to proceed with construction at the current site,” she said.
She added that based on the recommendations of the committee, the matter has now been taken up with the agriculture production Department for finalisation of alternate sites for relocating GMC Handwara.
“The project for new GMC Handwara was sanctioned under centrally sponsored scheme. As such, the financial allocations for the project are governed by the relevant financial codes under single nodal account,” the minister said.
“Earlier, the Ministry has extended the timelines for the project for one year upto March 2025. Now, ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India has again been approached for extension of the timelines for completion of GMC Handwara, (Phase III) for two years upto March 2027,” she said—(KNO)
