Construction of hospitals delayed in Gulmi

By Tilachan Pandey,Tamghas, Aug. 2: Construction of a 15-bed hospital whose foundation stone was laid hastily in Shringa of Chhatrakot on November 30, 2020, in Gulmi district has been left in limbo.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli-led government in his previous tenure had laid the foundation stone for hospitals across 396 local levels in one day. However, the construction of the hospitals in Gulmi district has not progressed as envisioned.

Kamalraj Shrestha, the then member of the Lumbini Provincial Assembly, laid the foundation for the 15-bed hospital in Chhatrakot Rural Municipality nearly four years ago. However, construction remains stalled. 

Chief Administrative Officer Bir Bahadur Pun reported that the land management work was recently completed after a lengthy process, as the original site did not meet building standards. Still confusion persists as to who should approve the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

Former Minister and Member of Parliament Gokarna Raj Bista laid the foundation stone for a hospital in Malika Rural Municipality’s Ward No. 4, Arkhbang. However, construction has not moved beyond the foundation. Chief Administrative Officer Bikas Khanal stated that due to substandard land, alternative land is being managed, with the tender process expected to begin this year.

Construction was halted due to landslides at the hospital construction site in Rajsthal of Dhurkot Rural Municipality. Bhupal Pokhrel, Chairman of the Rural Municipality, announced that construction has finally commenced following the revision of the DPR and map. Ravina-Arjun-New Liza JV has been awarded the construction contract at Rs. 130 million.

The hospital in Ishma Rural Municipality has achieved only 23 per cent progress. Technical Assistant Santosh Thapa said that the construction of the first floor is underway. Sunil Samir Construction Services is handling the project for Rs. 108 million.

Approximately 70 per cent work of the hospital construction in Ratamata, Ward No. 1 of Rurukshetra Rural Municipality, has been completed. Chief Administrative Officer, Lakshman Pandey is optimistic about finishing construction within this fiscal year. The project, initiated by Sudarshan Baral,  the then Minister for Social Development of Lumbini Province, is being constructed by Prakriti-PTR-Adhikari-Rajeshwari JV Sandhikhark for Rs. 144 million.

The hospital in Kanouta, Ward No. 3 of Kaligandaki Rural Municipality, has made about 40 per cent progress. Engineer Satyanarayan Rai reported that construction, led by Khimti-Shreshtha-Anjana JV, has reached 40 per cent at a cost of around Rs. 125 million. Former Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali initiated this project with much fanfare.

In Satyavati Rural Municipality, preparations are underway for the construction of the final floor of the 15-bed hospital in Ward No. 6, Johang, with 65 per cent completion reported by municipal engineer Ashish Bhatt. The project, managed by Ashish Yogeshwar JV Kathmandu Construction Services, costs over Rs. 120 million.

Similarly, another hospital constructed in Madane Rural Municipality’s Ward No. 6 has seen 65 per cent completion, according to Chief Administrative Officer Shalikram Panthi. Himdum-AC Construction Company Baglung is handling the construction for Rs. 124.8 million project.

Musikot Municipality’s Ward No. 7 has achieved 75 per cent physical progress on its 15-bed hospital. According to Health Branch Head DB Jishi. Khimti-Shreshtha-Kaligandaki JV is overseeing the project, budgeted at Rs. 111 million.

Similarly, the construction of a 15-bed hospital in Jhankri Danda, Ward No. 3 of Gulmi Darwar Rural Municipality, is complete. However, the contractor has complained about not receiving Rs. 10. 35 million in payment. Bikoi-Arjun-New Liza JV was responsible for this project, costing Rs. 129.4 million.

Similarly, the construction of the hospital in Shantipur, Ward No. 4 of Chandrakot Rural Municipality has been completed. Tulsi Bhakta-Arjun Builders JV completed the project for Rs. 136. Lakshmi Khanal, the contractor, stated that despite completing the work, he has not received the payment.

Shiva Gyawali, the Information Officer of Chandrakot Rural Municipality, mentioned that a report regarding the dues to the contractors was sent to the relevant ministry last year. However, due to a lack of funds from the ministry, the contractors remain unpaid.