Work on Kasaragod MCH yet to commence

First phase work was proposed to begin this month

Even as the State government has made assurances that work on the proposed Kasaragod medical college hospital (MCH), near Badiadukka, will start in January, uncertainty looms large over the commencement of work.

Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar had told a press conference here on November 4 that the first phase work on the hospital would begin in January. But the authorities appear to have not addressed the problems involved even in awarding the work and are not sure as to when work would commence.

Special officer-in-charge of the hospital project P.G.R. Pillai told

The Hindu that the tender could not be finalised as the contractors appeared to be reluctant to take up the work as their long pending dues running into crores of rupees were yet to be cleared.

Re-tendering

A decision to issue fresh tenders could be taken only in the next high-level meeting, the date of which had not yet been decided, Dr. Pillai said.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had laid the foundation stone for the hospital complex in November 2013.

With HUDCO aid

The first phase work on the hospital complex estimated to cost Rs.388 crore was planned to begin by utilising Rs.64 crore assistance from the HUDCO in the first year, Mr. Sivakumar had told the media on November 4.

A loan of Rs.86 crore had been sought from HUDCO to complete work in the second year while the State government will meet the remaining cost.

It was also decided to set aside Rs.25 crore out of the Rs.75 crore sanctioned for the Kasaragod development package. Another Rs.9.50 crore from the Plan allocation would also be used for the medical college work, the Minister had said.

In the given scenario the authorities, in all probability, would not be able to fulfil their word that the work on the MCH would be completed in 2017, forcing people in the district, having a sizeable population of endosulfan victims, to continue to rely on far off hospitals and those in Mangaluru for expert medical treatment.

‘Contractors reluctant to take up work due to pending payment’

Foundation stone for hospital laid in November 2013