The Rehmat-e-Alam Hospital Building in Anantnag Declared Unsafe
The Rehmat-e-Alam Hospital building located in Sarnal, Anantnag district, has been deemed unsafe by the government. According to a report by IIT Jammu dated 07-06-2021, the structure poses safety hazards.
Despite the concerns raised about the building’s safety, there are no current plans to conduct a fresh safety audit. The government has stated that retrofitting the existing structure would incur costs higher than constructing a new facility.
The Design Inspection and Quality Control wing, along with the Chief Engineer of Public Works (Roads and Buildings) in South Kashmir, have assessed the building and concluded that it is not viable for further use.
The Health and Medical Education Department took over the Rehmat-I-Alam Hospital from a local trust in 2017, along with all its assets and liabilities. The acquisition was part of an initiative to relocate the Maternity and Child Care Hospital (MCCH) from its previous location to the KP Road facility due to safety concerns.
The construction of the new facility faced multiple setbacks, with work being stalled for over five years. The original structure, built two decades ago, was intended for expansion with two additional floors.
Various departments, including the Jammu and Kashmir Housing Department, JKPCC, and PWD – R&B, were involved in the construction process. However, safety concerns led to the halting of the project before completion. Subsequent safety audits by IIT Jammu and NIT Srinagar confirmed the building’s failure to meet safety standards.
The estimated cost of retrofitting the structure kept increasing, with JKPCC projecting a total cost of Rs 20 crore, including various works. Despite administrative approval granted in 2023, no progress was made due to the defunct status of JKPCC.
The Public Works Department (PWD) took over the project and re-estimated the cost to be Rs 37 crore for retrofitting and additional works. The building does not meet post-2005 earthquake safety standards for hospital use, leading to concerns over the previous expenditure.
Officials believe that the hospital’s land remains a viable site for future healthcare expansion and urge the health department to take ownership of the structure for appropriate use.
In light of the safety concerns and cost implications, the Jammu and Kashmir government is planning to construct a new 249-bedded Maternity and Child Care Hospital in Anantnag, at the premises of MAMB-GMC Anantnag Janglatmandi hospital.
