‘Sarai’ building at Palampur hospital on verge of collapse

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, February 21

The ‘sarai’ building constructed on the local Civil Hospital premises over 10 years ago is on the verge of collapse.

Most of the windows and doors of the ‘sarai’, which was constructed for the attendants of the patients, are broken and walls have developed cracks. Despite it being an unsafe building, four of its rooms are in use.

Information gathered by The Tribune has revealed that former MP and senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar had given Rs 20 lakh from his MPLAD fund for the construction of a ‘sarai’ a few years ago. However, after the building was constructed, the state government did not notify which department or authority would be responsible for its maintenance. Even minor repairs had not been carried out on the building.

Under such circumstances, most of the attendants had to sleep in the corridors of the general ward amid biting cold. Dharmesh Ramotra, Palampur SDM, said he was aware of the situation. “I have spoken to the Public Works Department and the Medical Superintendent of the hospital in this regard. Both have expressed their inability to take over the building, saying they have no funds,” said Ramotra.

During a visit to the ‘sarai’, sewage and water supply pipes were found leaking and cracks were visible on walls, causing seepage.