Suhail Bhat
Gulmarg, Oct 14: The Primary Health Centre at Kashmir’s famed tourist destination Gulmarg has developed huge cracks due to the sinking of underneath earth, causing safety fears among patients and staff.
According to the officials at the PHC, though the walls developed cracks last year, the widening of the cracks has worsened its condition and left it unsafe. “We fear for our lives as the building can collapse anytime. This has put a question mark on the seriousness of the department towards the safety of their staff and patients,” an official at the PHC said, adding that it was worthless to repair the building as the earth beneath was sinking.
Executive Officer Gulmarg Development Authority, Mohammad Hanief Balkhi said that the Court has granted permission for the repair of the building. “There is a blanket ban on the construction in the Gulmarg but the Court has granted permission for the repair work. BOCA has also approved it. It’s now up to the Health Department to carry the repair work,” he said
Block Medical Officer Tangmarg, Saba Wani, when contacted said that they have asked Roads and Buildings department to prepare a Detailed Project Report for the repairs. “We have written to the Roads and Buildings department to prepare a detailed project report of the repair works. The repair work will start soon,” she said.
She, however, added that the department was looking for an alternative site to construct a new building for the hospital. “The present site is not desirable and we are looking for an alternative place for the hospital but that will take some time. Until the site is designated, we have to repair the existing structure so that health care does not take a hit,” she said.
For the last several years the earth beneath the hospital has loosened and cracked and that has caused huge damage to the building. “The cracks and fissures on the building are visible but who cares?”, asked a local, Abdul Hameed, adding being a top tourist destination the authorities should have provided best healthcare facilities here.
People associated with tourism said that they have repeatedly appealed authorities to shift the building to the safer location but to no avail. “The place is not suitable for the hospital and we have asked the authorities for shifting it to a safer place. So far, nobody has shown any seriousness towards the hospital,” one of the hotel owners said.
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