SRINAGAR, May 14: The Council of Ministers, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has approved the upgradation of Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Hazratbal by granting relaxation in the buffer zone restrictions under the Srinagar Master Plan–2035 and also accorded sanction for the establishment of an 800 TPD Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) Project at Achan, Srinagar, at an estimated cost of Rs 361 crore.
The decisions were taken during the sixth meeting of the Council of Ministers with the objective of strengthening healthcare and scientific waste management infrastructure in Srinagar and ensuring improved public services.
Regarding SDH Hazratbal, the government said the Cabinet approved the upgradation of the hospital by relaxing restrictions under the buffer zone provisions of the Srinagar Master Plan–2035 to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and ensure improved healthcare delivery in the interest of better patient care.
The project had remained stalled for several years due to various obstacles arising from restrictions under the buffer zone provisions, causing considerable inconvenience to the public.
Recognising the hardships faced by the people and the urgent need for enhanced healthcare facilities in the area, the Cabinet headed by the Chief Minister took what the government described as a historic decision to intervene and relax the restrictions, paving the way for the long-pending upgradation of the hospital.
With the approval, the hospital is expected to be equipped with expanded infrastructure and improved medical facilities, including blood bank services, operation theatres and specialised treatment facilities for various ailments.
The move is aimed at reducing the need for patients to seek admissions and treatment elsewhere.
Locals of the area expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for the decision, stating that the hospital currently suffers from severe space constraints and lacks adequate facilities for patients and attendants.
They said the upgradation of the hospital would significantly ease public difficulties and provide better healthcare access to the people of Hazratbal and adjoining areas.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet also approved the establishment of the Integrated Solid Waste Management Project at Achan with the objective of strengthening scientific waste management infrastructure in Srinagar and ensuring sustainable disposal and processing of municipal solid waste in an environmentally responsible manner.
The proposed ISWM project is aimed at enhancing the waste processing capacity of Srinagar city through modern and efficient systems for collection, segregation, treatment and disposal of solid waste.
The project is expected to significantly improve sanitation standards, reduce environmental pollution and contribute towards cleaner and healthier urban surroundings.
The establishment of the facility at Achan is also expected to support long-term urban planning and environmental sustainability efforts while addressing the growing waste management requirements of the city in view of rapid urban expansion and population growth.
