Burdwan Medical College & Hopsital - SNCU, OPD and Surgery facilities to be opertaionalised soon

Sick and Neonatal Care Unit (SNCU) civil and electrical works already completed and ready to start the facility two months ago. PWD completed the work in record one year time. Similarly, works of extension of OPD building to accommodate surgery wards and OTs, Paediatric wards in Cardiology building has also been completed and handed over by PWD. I had a meeting with Principal of Burdwan Medical College, Supdt of the Hospital and PWD authorities on 3rd July 2012 at 3 pm to fix the target dates for making the newly built facilities functional.

• It is agreed that the work of Oxygen installation in SNCU to be completed by 15th September 2012 latest by the College authorities without any further dealy and necessary clearances to be obtained in a week.
• Meanwhile, Paediatric department will indicate the requirement for site preparations, if any, for shifting the facility to Cardiology building and complete the shifting by 15th September 2012, starting from next week positively.
• PWD will take up the renovation of vacated space in OPD building now occupied by Paediatric department immediately thereafter and complete the works within 31st January 2013.
• Surgery department should be shifted to newly built facility at the top floor of OPD by end of September 2012 and full operations in OTs to commence by end of October.
• Meanwhile, nursery to be temporarily be shifted to top floor of OPD so as to enable renovation of OPD building after the Paediatric ward is shifted to Cardiology.

In brief, SNCU, Surgery ward, Paediatric department must be shifted to the earmarked places and operationalised by the end of October positively. After completion of renovation works by the end of January 2012, Gynaecology department may be shifted to the space vacated byPaediatric department.

Hope, the time bound plan of functioning of these new facilities will be adhered to by all the agencies. Monthly review of progress to be done.

Narrow bridges and culverts on Damodar Valley Corporation canal/ roads to be replaced in phases

DVC system of irrigation canals is the lifeline of Burdwan district, the granary or also known as rice bowl. There are more than hundred bridges and culverts over the canals came up in last 50 years. Most of the roads and structures are built with load bearing capacity of 8 to 10 MT . PWD widened the roads over the years but most of the narrow bridges were not replaced by them as these are under Irrigation department, that does not has the financial budget provisions and technical capability to maintain these structures and invest monehere rrumre large number of mining activity like sand, morrum and stones carried over these bridges, mostly more than10MT causing damages. In some places like Bhatar, Bhedia, Adahati, Galsi etc the condition is pathetic and very bad. The issue was discussed in the review meeting own 28th July and it's matter of  satisfaction that State Govt agreed to provide funds to PWD department for immediate replacement of all critical and damaged, narrow bridges over DVC canals in Burdwan district. Had a meeting with Engineering departments and finalized the bridges to be taken up on priority. Dpr to be prepared in next three months and thereafter funds to be sanctioned. Let's hope most critical bridges at Bhedia, Bhatar, Galsi, ausgram and Jamalpur are taken up with the special fund allocation from the govt.

Panagarh National Highway - Attempts to resolve the issues

National Highway2 stretch of 3.2 kms at Panagarh Bazar has been in bad shape for last few years due to inadequate maintenance by the NHAI and has now become most difficult problem which all of us are facing.

The NH from Kolkata to Panagarh is entrusted to Agency and from Darjeeling more to Barakar to NHAI Project Office for O&M respinsiblity, leaving 3.2 kms stretch of Panagarh Bazar not assigned and no budget provisions. District authority managed to get the administrative sanction to include this stretch under O&M of NHAI last year.

On repeated persuasion NHAI sanctioned Rs 273 lakhs for repair of the road for which work orders already issued. This fund is not enough and the road so maintained can not be sustained more than one year. The works of strengthening, widening and bridge adjacent to present bridge are not sanctioned. NHAI local authorities needs Rs 6.5+ crores for the this road to sustain maintenance for at least three years.

Today, held meeting with PWD Roads and NHAI Project Director to discuss the ways of resolving the issues locally with the assistance of other agencies in the area. Some concrete suggestions including fund source and decisions have been discussed wherein gap funding may be provided to NHAI authorities to ensure thorough road strengthening, additional bridge, widening and traffic signalling immediately after Pujas. Gap funding has been offered  so as to achieve the desired maintenance. NHAI seems agreed to the proposal which is now being sent to the State for concurrence.

 Let's hope, situation will improve.