Visiting team from Dept of Atomic Energy furious over delay in completion of construction work
SHILLONG: Miffed with the dillydally by the State government in completing the construction work of the much-needed Cancer Wing of the Shillong Civil Hospital, A Central government team from the Department of Atomic Energy has given eight months’ time to the State government to get the Cancer Wing up and running.
The construction of the Department of Atomic Energy funded Cancer Wing at Shillong Civil Hospital started in March, 2011 and the work was projected to be completed in two years’ time.
However, more than four years have passed but the project is still in limbo much to the disappointment of the Central team from the Department of Atomic Energy, which was furious that the project had been delayed beyond the limit.
With the deadline set by the Central team, an embarrassed Health and Family Minister A.L. Hek has instructed the Engineering Wing of the Health department to ensure completion of the Cancer Wing at the earliest.
“The building is 85 per cent completed and the drainage work is taking some time but I have directed them to complete the project at the earliest,” Hek said on Wednesday.
The foundation stone of the Rs.26 crore Cancer Wing was laid in March, 2011 by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to provide a fillip to cancer patients in the State.
The prestigious project is being funded by the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India.
Once the Cancer Wing becomes operational, sophisticated equipment worth Rs.15 crore would be purchased to provide better medical facilities to the patients.
Besides, a cobalt machine (used for radiation therapy) which is presently being used at the Civil Hospital would also be shifted to the Cancer Wing.