Health Department refutes Dimapur Congress claims, says nursing college and PHC projects on track

DIMAPUR — The department of Health and Family Welfare has issued a clarification regarding the allegations made by Dimapur District Congress Committee (DDCC) concerning various ongoing health infrastructure projects in Dimapur.

In a statement issued by the Medical Engineering Wing of the department, it stated that the “Upgradation of the School of Nursing to College of Nursing at Dimapur” is progressing as per schedule.

The project, sanctioned at a cost of INR 6.10 crore, was awarded in two phases on March 13, 2024—covering site development, dismantling of existing structures, and construction of the kitchen and building floors.

The combined civil works are expected to be completed by November 2025, with the current physical progress standing at 65%, it stated.

Related: Dimapur Congress flags alleged mismanagement in Health department

According to the department, INR3.47 crore has been released to the contractor out of INR 3.50 crore received from the Ministry, as per work progress. It assured that any quality issues will be rectified as per the Detailed Project Report (DPR) specifications.

On the construction of borewells and overhead water tanks with filtration units, amounting to INR 61 lakh, the department clarified that the estimate follows the NPWD Schedule of Rates (SoR) and that no payment has been made to the contractor so far.

The project includes two overhead water tanks with iron structures and filtration units, in addition to two borewells.

Similarly, work on the boundary wall, costing INR 1.10 crore, is in progress. The wall, measuring approximately 600 metres in length and 1.83 metres in height, is being constructed as per NPWD SoR 2021.

The department stated that only 51% of the payment has been released so far.

Regarding the PHC staff quarters at Kuhuboto, it maintained that the building was completed on September 24, 2021, and completion certification was issued by the competent authority after due inspection. Any wear and tear over time will be repaired to facilitate staff occupation, it assured.

On the Integrated Public Health Laboratory (IPHL) at District Hospital Dimapur, the department confirmed that construction was completed on March 19, 2025, and the facility is fully operational.

Any quality concerns will be addressed under the contract’s defect liability clause, it added.

The department asserted that all works are being executed as per approved norms and technical standards, and dismissed claims of overestimation or fund mismanagement.