Madurai
During cabinet session in December, the Centre had accorded permission to the project, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation for the much awaited project at an estimated cost of Rs 1,264 crore on January 27.
However, there is no sign that the project is making any headway, said K Jean Samuel, resident of Karimedu, Madurai. The hospital is expected to create job opportunities for many, he said, adding that the authorities should expedite the project.
According to KK Ramesh from Munichalai, who filed four public interest litigations since 2014, said that the Centre had given its nod after a long struggle. As there was no progress since the announcement in 2014, the Madras High Court intervened and the Union Health Ministry finally declared in June last year that the hospital would come up in Thoppur, he recalled.
SM Rakkappan of Pudur pointed out that Tamil Nadu is already in the forefront of delivering quality healthcare, attracting several patients from other parts of India and world. Once the hospital is set up, even the poor could afford quality healthcare, he said.
But Madurai MP Su Venkatesan said there was no delay in the project, noting that the State government had handed over the land a couple of months ago. To start the construction, a high level team comprising delegates from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) along with officials from central and State governments had inspected the site about four months ago. Once the agency finalises the funding plan, it would take off, the MP said.
According to sources from Government Rajaji Hospital, the inspection team ensured construction of compound wall as the first phase of work, adding that the government had notified the appointment of a special officer for the construction project.
When contacted, Madurai Collector TG Vinay told DT Next that 204.36 acres of land had already been handed over to the central government for construction of the hospital. The land owned by State government was earmarked at ‘Kona Pudupatti’ – (K Pudupatti village) in Thiruparankundram taluk in Madurai. However, the Collector said there were a few more formalities that have to be completed before the project could take off.
The Collector added that additional land transfer from the district administration to the Ministry of Health has also been completed for the IOC pipeline running in between the land. Also, the formation of four-lane road to the much awaited AIIMS Hospital by the Department of Highways is under way, the Collector said.
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