Madras Medical College’s (MMC) new building in the erstwhile central jail campus is in the final stages of completion. The Public Works Department (PWD) has completed the civil and electrical works in the new building.
The structure is yet to be handed over to the Health and Family Welfare Department as the furniture and equipment haven’t been installed. PWD officials said they have retained the compound wall of the Old Central Jail.
The block, which consists of six storeys, has come up on a 3.25 lakh square feet area at a cost of Rs. 56.63 crore. The PWD had commenced the construction work in 2010. In fact, college authorities had initially planned to move into the new block in August, but there was delay as they were yet to decide upon the agency that would supply the furniture and equipment.
Tamil Nadu Small Industries Corporation and the PWD are being considered to provide furniture for the building.
“We gave an estimate for purchase of furniture. A government order sanctioning funds has also been issued. But the college authorities have to decide on the purchase,” a PWD official said. Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation has been given the responsibility to supply and install equipment. “We are maintaining the building. Only after the remaining works are completed, the building can be handed over to the Health and Family Welfare Department,” the official added.
Officials of the Health Department said orders have been placed for getting furniture for the block. “We will be getting modular furniture worth around Rs. 3.65 crore. The furniture is getting ready as the models and sizes vary according to the rooms,” said an official.
He said the work is likely to be completed by the end of the year. “Once the furniture is put in place, we will move the existing equipment from the college to the new building,” he added.
Official sources said the inauguration of the new block could be part of the 350 year celebrations of the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, later this year.
An MMC student said he was looking forward to moving move into the new building as he heard the classrooms were spacious and was excited that it had come up on the jail campus.
