JAMMU: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today said that the Government Medical College (GMC), Handwara will be constructed at an alternate site to address the healthcare needs of the people of Kupwara district.
Replying to a question by Sajad Gani Lone, the Minister informed that unprecedented floods have been reported in the recent times on 29th March 2024, 16th and 28th April 2024 when the maximum flood level recorded was 0.6m, 3.8m and 4.0m respectively above Ground Level (GL) which is at the right bank of Nallah Pohru (the existing construction site for New GMC and Hostels for GMC Handwara), making it un-feasible for undertaking construction of such a prestigious facility.
She informed that a committee was formed to check feasibility of the existing site after floods. “Committee headed by the Engineer-in-Chief, PW (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”, she stated.
The Minister further said, “Engineer-in-Chief, PW Department (Chairman of Committee) in subsequent meetings reiterated that the present site is not in a position to take forward the project and the proposed flood protection measures would not mitigate the risk of flooding, making it impossible to proceed with construction at the current site.”
“Technical report of the Joint Committee headed by Engineer-in-Chief, PW Department has also reflected that the present site is not tenable,” she added.
The Minister also informed the house that the Government has constituted a committee under the Chairmanship of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir to resolve the issue of land for relocation of Government Medical College, Handwara.
“Based on the recommendations of the committee, the matter has now been taken up with Agriculture Production Department for finalization of alternate sites for relocating GMC Handwara,” she stated.
The Minister also informed that the project for New GMC Handwara was sanctioned under the under Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Establishment of New Medical Colleges Attached with District/Referral Hospitals (Phase III)’.
She said the Ministry has extended the timelines for the project for one year upto March 2025 and now the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, has again been approached for an extension of the timelines for completion of the Government Medical College, Handwara, (Phase III) for two years upto March 2027.
The Minister assured the house that the Government is committed to upgrading the healthcare infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir. She added that the matter of the new site has been taken up with the Agriculture Ministry and the land will be identified at such a location which will be accessible to all areas of the Kupwara district.
Sheikh Khursheed raised supplementary questions on the issue.
