By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The construction of the proposed Shillong Medical College has received another jolt as the State Government is yet to finalize the location for shifting the TB Hospital (Reid Chest Hospital) from its present location at Jhalupara to pave way for the medical college.
Deputy Chief Minister and in charge Health and Family Welfare, Rowell Lyngdoh, told The Shillong Times here on Wednesday that the land identified earlier near Pasteur Institute for shifting the TB Hospital is too small.
“The plot near the Pasteur Institute is too small so we are searching for another suitable location to relocate the TB Hospital,” he added.
It may be mentioned that the State Government had signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Finance Corporation last year to set up the proposed medical college on a public-private partnership mode.
Pointing out that the IFC would invte bidders to participate in the bidding process, the Minister informed that the Government and the Corporation will take a joint decision on the construction of the medical college.
Commissioner and Secretary Health and Family Welfare DP Wahlang stated that the matter would be taken up for discussion at the next Cabinet meeting scheduled in January.
The other proposed medical college in the State would be set up at Jewilgre Aking, 18 km from Tura, on a 150-acre plot of land provided by the Chambugong clan.
It is learnt that the Deputy Commissioner has been asked to examine the land at Tura and the State Government is awaiting the recommendations of the West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner before acquiring the land.