Odisha: 'DPR to be finalised soon for Phase-II construction of AIIMS's Balasore satellite centre'

BHUBANESWAR: Union health and family welfare minister Harsh Vardhan while replying to a letter of Koraput MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka has stated that detailed project report (DPR) of phase-II construction of AIIMS Bhubaneswar's satellite centre at Balasore will be finalized soon.
In the letter, the Union minister mentioned that the project is being taken up in two phases. Phase-I: construction of OPD building and two blocks of staff quarters.Phase-II: setting up of multi-specialty hospital. AIIMS Bhubaneswar has obtained approval for both the phases, he added.
Under Phase-I of the project, Rs 35.76 crore have been sanctioned for construction of OPD building, staff quarters through CPWD. Besides, Rs 2.5 crore have been sanctioned for medical equipment and instruments. Construction of OPD building (G+2 floors and consisting of A, B, C blocks) and staff quarters (G+3 floors) have been started.
As far as construction of OPD building is concerned, roof slab concreting for first floor of A Block has been completed. For Block B, roof slab concreting of ground floor has been done. For Block C, it was scheduled to start this month. For staff quarters (G+3) top column has been reached and shuttering for roof will start soon. However, the progress is slightly hampered due to inclement weather, stated the minister.
"Under Phase-II of the project, consultant/project architect is to be engaged to finalize DPR. Tenders for construction will be called soon thereafter," said the minister in his letter, adding, "I assure you that this project is in progress, though temporarily it was held up due to Covid-19 pandemic situation. In spite of these impediments, AIIMS Bhubaneswar and the ministry are determined to complete the project and make it a success."
On October 16, Ulaka along with Congress leader A Chella Kumar had given a memorandum to the Union minister urging him to expedite commencement and completion of AIIMS Satellite Centre including Super Speciality Hospital, World class Nursing and Public Health school at Balasore.
"The satellite centre work is underway at snail's pace. The Centre should announce the dateline of completion of both Phase-I and II work for the benefit of the people. We want to know about the Rs 450 crore earmarked for this satellite centre project," said Ulaka.
The temporary weekly OPD services at community centre of Defence Colony were started on every Saturday since July 8, 2017. The services were postponed due to Covid situation at present said the official sources.