Chennai Corporation has started converting some of its out-of-use marriage halls into hospitals.
A marriage hall near New College in ward 115 of Teynampet zone will be converted to a hospital under the national urban health mission shortly. The 3,000-sq. ft. marriage hall was constructed in 1997 and has been used by the economically weaker sections for the past 16 years.
“Bookings have declined now. The hall has been booked by residents on only three occasions in as many years. Most of the residents in the locality have started opting for marriage halls with modern facilities. So, officials plan to construct a hospital on the premises,” said Vijayaramakrishna, councillor of the ward.
Work has also begun on the alteration of a 2,200-sq. ft. marriage hall in ward 117 in Ramakamathpuram. The marriage hall, constructed in 1999, will also be converted into a hospital. Only five functions have been organised in the past three years.
“Residents keep demanding parking space for cars during marriage functions. The hall does not have a large space for parking cars. Chennai Corporation is constructing another bigger marriage hall with modern facilities near GRT Grand Hotel at a cost of Rs.4 crore,” said Arumugam, councillor of the ward.
Corporation officials said the locations for new hospitals have been identified based on the population of poor people in a neighbourhood. “Hospitals at such locations will be optimum for residents,” said an official. Of the 140 hospitals proposed in the city under National Urban Health Mission, work on a number of structures has started. The hospitals will have integrated facilities for maternal care and child health, and will benefit more than 18 lakh poor residents.