The review covered a wide spectrum of projects being executed by the Health and Medical Education Department, including works related to Government Medical Colleges, SKIMS, Dental Colleges, Health Services, SASCI projects, and flagship centrally sponsored schemes such as PM-ABHIM and ECRP-II.
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Days after the National Medical Commission (NMC) withdrew permission to run the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board medical college here, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Friday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of ongoing and proposed health infrastructure projects across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. He reiterated that strengthening healthcare facilities remains a top public service priority of the government.
The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department; Secretary, Health and Medical Education; Director, SKIMS; Managing Director, NHM; Principals of Government Medical Colleges; Directors of Health Services, Kashmir and Jammu; Managing Director, HSCC; Chief Engineers of R&B; and other senior officers.
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The review covered a wide spectrum of projects being executed by the Health and Medical Education Department, including works related to Government Medical Colleges, SKIMS, Dental Colleges, Health Services, SASCI projects, and flagship centrally sponsored schemes such as PM-ABHIM and ECRP-II.
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Undertaking a comprehensive project-wise review, the Chief Secretary examined the physical and financial progress, utilisation of funds, and issues hampering timely execution. He issued directions to expedite approvals, resolve inter-departmental bottlenecks—particularly those related to land and utilities—and ensure strict adherence to timelines and quality standards.
Additional Chief Secretary, PWD, Anil Kumar Singh took note of project-wise deadlines and issued on-the-spot directions to Chief Engineers to resolve site-specific bottlenecks to ensure uninterrupted progress of works. Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah, presented an overview of progress achieved since the last review meeting and outlined the department’s mechanism for regular monitoring of projects.
A detailed review was conducted of major infrastructure projects at Government Medical Colleges in Jammu and Srinagar and their associated hospitals, including the construction of the Bone and Joint Hospital, Jammu, and the expansion of tertiary care facilities. The progress of works at Indira Gandhi Government Dental College and Hospital, Jammu, was also reviewed, with emphasis on strengthening dental education and patient care infrastructure.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the status of new Government Medical Colleges at Anantnag, Doda, Kathua, Udhampur and Handwara, directing executing agencies to strictly adhere to approved timelines. At GMC Anantnag, the construction of a 249-bedded Mother and Child Care Hospital at MMABM Associated Hospital was discussed.
At GMC Udhampur, issues related to space constraints for a sanctioned 50-bedded Critical Care Block under ECRP-II were reviewed. Directions were issued for early completion of NOC formalities for the transfer of ITI land and buildings to facilitate hospital expansion. Infrastructure works at GMC Rajouri, including parking facilities, strengthening of electrical systems, and hostels for resident doctors, were also reviewed.
Critical tertiary care infrastructure projects at SKIMS Soura and SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, were discussed, with the Chief Secretary directing that these high-value projects be executed seamlessly to support advanced healthcare delivery in the Valley.
Under Health Services, major works—including the 100-bedded Mother and Child Care Hospital at Lamberi (Rajouri), upgradation of SDH Billawar to 100 beds, a 50-bedded hospital at Sunderbani, upgradation of the 100-bedded hospital at Nowshera, and the 125-bedded District Hospital at Reshipora, Budgam—were reviewed. It was noted that these projects would significantly strengthen secondary- and district-level healthcare services across J&K.
The Chief Secretary directed the department to rationalise non-starter and slow-moving projects, drop unviable works after due approval, and re-propose them under appropriate funding windows to prevent blockage of funds.
A detailed presentation was also made by HSCC on the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) and ECRP-II. Reiterating that timely completion of health infrastructure projects is crucial for improving service delivery, the Chief Secretary directed all stakeholders to maintain close coordination to ensure tangible outcomes on the ground and meet deadlines without delay.
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