Dimapur, November 8 (MExN): The Medical Engineering Wing of the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare (DoHFW) has countered various allegations made by the Dimapur District Congress Committee (DDCC) relating to several construction projects in Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland districts.
In a press release, the DoHFW stated that the work order for “Upgradation of Nursing College at DH Dimapur” was issued in two phases on March 13, 2024.
Phase-I includes site development, dismantling of existing structure, construction of kitchen and construction of ground floor, which was slated to be completed within 10 months.
Phase-II comprises construction of first and second floors with completion timeline of 10 months. The stipulated completion date for the combined civil works is up to November 2025 and is targeted to be completed within the timeline, it maintained.
As per the Department, the physical progress of the project is at 65% and does not include other services which will start upon completion of the civil works.
Out of Rs.3.50 crore received from the Ministry, an amount of Rs.3.47 crore has been released to the contractor as per the progress at site, it informed.
Any compromise in quality, if any, will be rectified as per DPR specification, it clarified.
The DoHFW Medical Engineering Wing also stated that construction of borewell and overhead water tank including two filtration units amounting to Rs.61 lakh is an ongoing project.
The sanctioned cost includes two overhead water tanks with iron structures and iron filtration units, in addition to two borewells. “The estimate is as per NPWD SoR and is not as stated in the media. No payment has been made to the contractor till date,” it added.
Similarly, the Rs 1.10 crore boundary wall project is also ongoing and the DoHFW stated that only 51% of the payment has been released so.
The cost estimates for the works have been arrived at as per NPWD SoR 2021 and hence, there is no issue of overestimation, the Department maintained.
On staff quarter construction at Public Health Centre Kuhuboto, the DoHFW stated that the project was completed on September 24, 2021 and “Completion Certificate” was issued by the competent authority after due inspection and verification.
The Department attributed any “wear & tear” to passage of time and claimed that it will repair accordingly and ensure occupation by the staff of the concerned health unit.
It further informed that the construction of the Integrated Public Health Laboratory (IPHL) at District Hospital Dimapur was completed on March 19, 2025 and is fully operational.
“Any compromise in quality of work, if any, will be covered under defect liability of the contract,” it added.
During a press conference on November 6, the DDCC had levelled a series of allegations against the DoHFW concerning health infrastructure projects in the three districts based on RTI replies.
As per media reports, besides poor workmanship and use of substandard material for various works at DH Dimapur, the DDCC alleged that the Kuhuboto PHC staff quarters remain abandoned and overgrown.
There were allegations of overcharging for blood units for basic testing, unauthorised buildings at Niuland PHC, discrepancies in pricing and vendor selection of medicines and so on.
It also served a 10-day ultimatum to the Department to respond to all pending RTIs or face stir.
