Ao Students’ Conference demands urgent probe into substandard construction of Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital

AKM officials inspecting the construction of ‘Block’ A at Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital in Mokokchung on Wednesday.

• MOKOKCHUNG — The Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) on Wednesday asked the state government and relevant authorities to immediately constitute an evaluation team to investigate the quality standards of the ongoing construction of ‘Block A’ building at Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH) in Mokokchung.
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• The demand came after AKM officials, accompanied by media personnel, conducted an inspection of the ‘Block A’ construction site on Wednesday.
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• AKM President Lanutoshi Aier reported widespread complaints about the project, revealing alarming findings during the visit. “Concrete plastering could be easily peeled off with fingers, and huge cracks were visible from the ground floor to the top, indicating substandard quality unfit for a hospital that requires high standards to serve patients,” Aier said.

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• He maintained that if the evaluation team identifies discrepancies, immediate repairs must be undertaken. “Without proper rectification, it’s risky to accommodate patients and health professionals. The team should involve stakeholders to ensure transparency,” he said.
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• The AKM expressed dismay over the use of inferior materials, noting that Ao Senden’s May 2024 inspection had flagged the use of poor-quality “SBM” cement, demanding its replacement. However, AKM pointed out that much of the building’s foundation was already built with substandard cement.
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• “Hospitals must be constructed to withstand natural calamities. If standards are compromised, who will bear responsibility for patients seeking care and healthcare workers?” Aier questioned, declaring, “AKM will not allow patients to be accommodated in such a substandard building.”
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• The IMDH upgradation project, aimed at transforming the facility into a 200-bed hospital with two blocks (A and B) under the National Health Mission, was tendered in 2018 for approximately INR 13.70 crore, with work commencing in 2022.
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• Despite a 36-month completion timeline for both ‘Block A & B’ buildings per the Detailed Project Report, ‘Block A’ remains incomplete.
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• AKM highlighted that KC Infra Projects Private Limited, the contracted firm, had failed to meet deadlines of March and September 2024, despite assurances made in a district administration meeting. On November 20, 2024, Minister P Paiwang Konyak announced an additional INR 3 crore for Block A’s completion, yet progress remains stalled.
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• “How many more years will it take to finish Block B?” Aier questioned, stressing the urgency for patients from Mokokchung and neighbouring districts that rely on IMDH.
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• The AKM criticised KC Infra’s “substandard” work, having previously flagged slow progress and poor quality in a September 14, 2023, letter to the firm, which went unanswered.
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• “If the firm cannot complete the project on time, the government should terminate the contract and re-tender it to competent firms capable of delivering within the stipulated period without compromising quality,” it stated.