Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP), Mohammad Aijaz Asad, on Tuesday said that the additional block comprising 160 beds at Bone and Joint (B&J) Hospital in Barzulla, Srinagar, has been completed, and the trial run of the new facility is presently underway.
Chairing a meeting to review the progress of the World Bank-funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP), CEO highlighted the advanced features of the new Orthopaedic hospital block, which has been constructed using modern earthquake-resilient technology.
The state-of-the-art building includes modular operation theatres, a laminar flow system, a Theatre Sterile Supply Unit (TSSU), Intensive Care Units (ICU), pre- and post-operation care wards, a Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD), specialized laundry facilities, a pneumatic tube system, and a waste collection system.
Additionally, the building has received certification from the India Green Building Council (IGBC) and features a biomedical waste management facility. CEO Asad emphasized that the completion of this facility marks a significant milestone in enhancing healthcare infrastructure in the region, providing advanced medical services and ensuring better patient care.
“The use of earthquake-resilient technology ensures the safety and stability of the hospital, making it a robust addition to the healthcare facilities in Srinagar,” he said. The CEO directed the Chief Engineer, R&B, which is the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for this prestigious health sector project, to expedite the tendering process for crucial health sector projects under the World Bank-funded JTFRP and ensure their completion as per the agreed timelines.
Aijaz Asad also informed that tenders will soon be floated for the construction of an additional Gynae block at Lal Ded Hospital. He added that the bid document for the new block has been updated in line with the inputs provided by concerned stakeholders and submitted to the World Bank for approval. Once approved, the project will be tendered.
CEO ERA stated that the new block at Lal Ded Hospital will address critical infrastructural needs for maternal and child care. It will also feature a dedicated oncology care section, equipped with a modern air conditioning system and state-of-the-art healthcare architecture and equipment.
Er. Sajad Naqeeb, Chief Engineer, R&B (Central), reported that the work on the Bone and Joint Hospital project has been completed, and the process of handing over the new building to hospital authorities has been initiated.
The Medical Superintendent of Bone and Joint Hospital noted that the trial run for the new building is underway, with an examination recently conducted in the facility. He commended JKERA, the World Bank, and PIU (PWD) for completing the project.
Er. Susheel Kumar, Director Technical, JTFRP, provided updates on the construction of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at Ompura, noting that work on the dormitory building is nearing completion and will soon be handed over to the concerned department.
He also informed that tenders for the balance work on one of the four bridges in North Kashmir have been issued, while tenders for the remaining three bridges will be floated shortly. The Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) South, stated that the superstructure of the Rohmoo Bridge has been substantially completed, except for bituminous works, which will be taken up in the next working season.
Fabrication work on the Trenz Bridge is also underway. Officers from Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) informed that work on upgrading 49 dewatering stations in Srinagar is at an advanced stage, with 45 stations completed and work ongoing on the remaining ones.
CEO ERA directed SMC officers to expedite the work and ensure its earliest completion. Officers from JKMSCL reported that 44 additional critical care ambulances have been procured under the project.
The meeting was also attended by Dr. Sajad Wani, Chief Accounts Officer, and senior officers from SMC, PWD (R&B), Industries and Commerce, JKMSCL, Health and Medical Education, JKERA, and JTFRP.