DC Srinagar announces foot-overbridge, attendants’ hostel at Children’s Hospital

Srinagar: The Srinagar district administration has started construction of a foot-overbridge at the Children’s Hospital in Bemina to improve access for patients and attendants, Deputy Commissioner Akshay Labroo said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to the hospital, Labroo said the bridge will connect different hospital blocks and will be equipped with both staircases and an escalator to facilitate the movement of critically ill patients and their attendants.

He said the project was conceived after assessing the difficulties faced by patients and visitors at the hospital, which caters to people from across the Kashmir Valley.

Labroo also announced plans to construct an accommodation facility for attendants of patients through the District Mineral Fund (DMF).

The proposed facility will include around 15 rooms, two large dormitories, dining space, toilets and washrooms, enabling attendants from far-flung areas to stay near the hospital at an affordable cost during prolonged treatment of their children, he said.

Administrative approval for the project will be obtained shortly, and construction will begin thereafter, the deputy commissioner added.

He said the district administration is also strengthening revenue infrastructure by constructing permanent buildings for government offices currently functioning from rented premises.

The construction of a new Tehsil office is progressing at a satisfactory pace, while work on the SDM office and SDM West office will be allotted soon, Labroo said.

Responding to queries about drinking water shortages in parts of Srinagar, the deputy commissioner said several projects under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme are underway across the city to improve water supply infrastructure.

He said works related to source augmentation, strengthening distribution networks and improving water quality are nearing completion in areas such as Nishat, Batmaloo, Soura and Rajbagh.

Labroo acknowledged that water tankers would continue to be required in some localities until the projects are completed.

To strengthen the emergency water supply, the district administration has approved the procurement of four additional water tankers through the District Mineral Fund, he added. (KNS).