TURA: Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Health and Family Welfare, Pravin Bakshi has said that the construction works for the Rs 243 crore Tura Medical College under the centrally sponsored scheme will begin immediately after all preparatory works are done and all clearances obtained. Bakshi was speaking on the sidelines of the MRVC meeting held on Thursday evening in the Conference hall of Tura Civil Hospital.
Bakshi, who was the former DC of West Garo Hills District and presently Mission Director NHM, Meghalaya & Secretary of Health & Family Welfare Department visited Tura on Thursday under the specific instructions of Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, to assess the ground realities for the proposed Medical College that would be constructed in part in the premises of Tura Civil Hospital and in majority at Doldegre, located some 6 to 7 kms away from Tura Civil Hospital. He held a meeting with the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner and other senior health & medical officers of the district and had threadbare discussions with them on various issues relating to the proposed Tura Medical College wherein, he informed that the Tura Civil Hospital itself was proposed to be a reaching college and it is set to be upgraded from present 200 to 300 bedded in due course of time.
Bakshi said that since a sizeable area of Tura Civil Hospital were encroached by illegal settlers, a mechanism of voluntary withdrawal of the encroachers in phase manners with the support of civil society, offering the alternative housing schemes for most eligible amongst them, needs to be considered.
As far as the plot at Doldegre where most of the administrative blocks, hostels etc. of the Medical College will be located, it was informed by the district officers that the land was free from all litigations and encumbrances and therefore, works could begin anytime.
Exuding confidence that with the issuance of work order, all necessary clearances shall be obtained and mobilization of men, materials and machineries will take place and begin the works, he advised the District administration to get a district level consultative and reconciliation committee involving senior citizens, Church leaders and social organizations be activated again to iron out all potential glitches and impediments and ensure smooth execution of the works.
Bakshi also advised the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) to resolve if any, all issues relating to the pattas of the land where the Medical College will be spread out. He urged that the departments of Forests issue environmental clearances and the PHE and MePDCL work out modalities required for the supply of drinking water facilities and power supply respectively to the proposed Medical College at Doldegre.