Three hundred new toilets. That’s what the opulent complex on Omandurar Government Estate that is being converted into a multi-super specialty hospital is getting.
This week, workers began removing the massive structure’s glass panels, for plumbing work that will go into the construction of the additional toilets. The complex already has 200 toilets, as the previous DMK government had planned to use it as a Secretariat-Assembly. The new toilets are being built as it was felt that more would be needed when the hospital is up and running, for patients and visitors. However, the existing 1.5 lakh-litre sump and another water tank for use in fire and rescue services have been found to be enough for the hospital’s needs.
After work on water pipelines, sewage lines, ventilators and exhaust fans is complete, the panels will be replaced.
An official of the Public Works Department (PWD) said work on the complex would be completed by December. Work is already going on for the commissioning of a diagnostic centre with an MRI machine, two CT scan devices, a digital x-ray device as well as additional labs. This is expected to completed shortly. Around 10 lakh sq. ft. of built-up space will be readied for the hospital.
A number of partitions are being removed, and modifications to the electrical system will also be carried out for additional lighting in the general ward.
Work has been entrusted to seven contractors who are handling the modification of each of the ground-plus-six-floors of the building. Seven teams of PWD officials have been formed to monitor the work on each floor.
The ground and first floors of Block A will serve as outpatient wards for departments such as cardiology and neurology. The second floor will house laboratories and facilities for diagnosis. The third and fourth floors will be used as general wards. The fifth and sixth floors of the block will be for special wards. Two floors of the public plaza will be modified to accommodate operation theatres, intensive care units and recovery wards.
The complex, which had been mired in legal tangles since its conversion into a hospital was proposed, recently got the National Green Tribunal, Southern Bench’s sanction to go ahead with the work to convert it.
