PGI’s 500-bed satellite hospital project remains a nonstarter in Sangrur
The future of PGI’s proposed 500-bed satellite hospital in Sangrur continues to be uncertain with construction of the structure yet to begin even though the tender for the project was floated over six months ago.
The future of PGI’s proposed 500-bed satellite hospital in Sangrur continues to be uncertain with construction of the structure yet to begin even though the tender for the project was floated over six months ago.
During his election campaign Vijay Inder Singla, former MP and Congress party candidate for the Sangrur parliamentary constituency, assured the town’s residents that the hospital would be completed with the stipulated time of 34 months. However, till date no start has been made.
The tender for the project, floated by Hospital Services Consultancy Corp Ltd (HSSC) on behalf of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh in December 2013, was for construction of a temporary OPD, guest house and boundary wall at the proposed hospital in the first phase with the cost estimated at Rs 23.28 crore and bid security amount of Rs 33.28 lakh.
The tender specified that work had to be completed within 12 months.
The HSCC project general manager said, “The tender documents received for the project are still being processed and the work, which will begin after the contract is awarded, will be completed
within the stipulated time.”
However, area residents began suspecting the project may not take off after Singla was defeated in the general elections.
When asked if the proposed hospital would see the light of day as the NDA, supported by the Shiromani Akali Dal, had returned to power at the centre, Rajya Sabha MP and SAD general secretary Sukhdev Singh Dhinsa said, “Definitely, we’ll ensure the project is completed soon. Healthcare remains on the top of priorities of the SAD-BJP government in Punjab.”
