SRINAGAR: The District Development Commissioner (DDC) Pulwama, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, has directed officials to make the OPD at AIIMS Awantipora functional by the end of October, wherever feasible, as the project has achieved around 81 per cent physical progress.
Chairing a review meeting to assess construction, pending works, statutory approvals and operational preparedness, Sidha stressed that the focus must shift from recording construction progress to making completed facilities functional on the ground.
The project’s financial progress stands at more than 72 per cent, while the revised master plan and associated changes have been approved, officials informed the meeting.
Reviewing Phase I, the DDC was informed that Hospital Block-1 was 100 per cent complete and Hospital Block-2 around 99 per cent complete. He directed the executing agency to resolve the remaining issues on priority to facilitate the early commencement of OPD services.
Electrical substations and associated works have also reached around 99 per cent completion, with testing and commissioning under way. The DDC directed officials to complete the remaining work and commissioning within two weeks, stressing that essential infrastructure should be ready before the onset of winter.
For Phase II, which covers academic, administrative and hostel buildings, the executing agency was asked to complete the remaining civil works within 20 days, wherever technically feasible, and make the buildings functional by the end of November.
Reviewing Phase III, Sidha directed officials to accelerate work on hospital, academic and residential blocks, hostels and external development components, which were reported to be approximately 75–80 per cent complete. He also called for the early completion of the shopping complex and guest house.
The DDC directed all concerned departments to submit pending no-objection certificates (NOCs) before the end of October and prepare a clear action plan to resolve outstanding issues.
Emphasising the need to start OPD services at the earliest, he said the required senior residents and other staff must be in place. Officials were directed to submit details of available human resources and facilities ready for operationalisation.
The meeting also reviewed preparations concerning infrastructure, manpower, equipment, utilities, transport and statutory requirements. Sidha directed the preparation of a comprehensive operational-readiness plan to ensure that all necessary arrangements were in place before services began.
Water supply, fire safety and electricity infrastructure were also reviewed. Officials reported that these essential services were at an advanced stage, with the remaining work being taken up on priority. The DDC directed that the facilities be completed, tested and made fully functional without delay.
He further called for arrangements to procure or provide buses to meet the transportation needs of patients, students and staff.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Awantipora Mushtaq Ahmad Lone was directed to coordinate with the concerned stakeholders to resolve pending issues. The DDC assured that the district administration would provide the necessary support to facilitate the project.
Sidha asked all departments and executing agencies to identify outstanding work, establish clear deadlines and ensure the timely completion and functionalisation of their respective components.
The meeting was attended by Additional District Development Commissioner Pulwama Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, Chief Planning Officer Pulwama Aashiq Khanday, a representative of the Executive Director of AIIMS Awantipora, senior engineers from the concerned departments, Chief Medical Officer Pulwama, Tehsildar Awantipora, Executive Officer Municipal Committee Awantipora and other officials.
