Zaffer Iqbal
Uri, Apr 15 (GNS): The building constructed for a dedicated health sub-centre in Batgran village along the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri remains non-functional for last several years, with medical services continuing to operate from a rented room, raising serious concerns among local residents.
A local delegation told GNS that the project was originally sanctioned in 2012, with an allocation of Rs 9 lakh for the construction of the sub-centre.
According to locals, although the building was eventually constructed in 2021, it has not been made operational to date. “The building exists, but it remains non-functional, while the sub-centre continues to run from a rented room,” they said.
They further said that there are multiple infrastructural deficiencies at the constructed facility, stating that there is no washroom arrangement, no proper drainage system around the building, and no protection walls have been erected.
Questioning the delay, residents said that if funds were sanctioned for improving healthcare facilities in the area, the continued non-utilisation of the building amounts to wastage of public resources.
Locals also said that the difficulties faced by patients, who are often compelled to travel to Uri hospital for treatment due to the lack of functional local healthcare infrastructure. They decried that the situation becomes particularly critical during instances of cross-border shelling, when the area remains highly vulnerable.
“In such situations, if proper medical facilities were available locally, basic treatment could be provided within the village itself,” they said.
The local population has appealed to the Health Minister, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Uri to take cognisance of the issue and initiate an inquiry into why the building has not been made functional despite being completed several years ago. (GNS)
