Nagaland: AYUSH Hospital in Chungtia to undergo full structural retest amid quality concerns

MOKOKCHUNG — The 50-bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital under construction at Sabangya, Chungtia, will undergo a comprehensive structural retest following allegations of substandard construction work.

The development comes after the Chungtia Students’ Union (CSU) rejected a technical test report dated September 29, prepared by Northeast Engineers, describing it as “unprofessional and incomplete.” An initial assessment had been carried out on September 11.

A high-level joint meeting on October 13 at the Chief Medical Officer’s Conference Hall, Mokokchung, reviewed the concerns. Chaired by the Joint Director (Planning) of the Department of Health & Family Welfare, the meeting included representatives from the Medical Engineering Wing, the State Programme Office AYUSH, the Deputy CMO Mokokchung, EAC Ongpangkong, CSU, Chungtia Village Council, and KC Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd.

The meeting concluded with two binding assurances: one from the Medical Engineering Division, Kohima, committing to rigorous rectification, adherence to quality standards, and timely completion; and another from KC Infra Projects pledging enhanced oversight and material standards.

Also read: Nagaland: Chungtia AYUSH project faces backlash over technical lapses

HC issues notice on plea by Nagaland AYUSH, NHM doctors seeking regularisation, pay parity

The Medical Engineering Division outlined measures including 24/7 contractor supervision, weekly inspections, engagement of technical experts for retrofitting RCC elements, replacement of the existing labour team, and use of IS-code compliant materials.

A Joint Stakeholder Supervision Team, involving administration, the CMO office, Health & Family Welfare Directorate, Chungtia Village Council, and CSU, will oversee the work.

All structural defects will be addressed using advanced repair techniques, with maintenance of a site record book and request for inspection logs, among others. The division projected a completion timeline of 12 months and guaranteed a design life of 40–50 years post-rectification.

KC Infra Projects Director Aakash Sethi appended a ‘Charter of Demands Assurance’ committing to immediately deploy a full-time site engineer, support for third-party retrofitting experts, replacement of the current construction crew, and use of premium construction materials.

He also assured a 12-month completion timeline contingent on expert reports, with no halts unless approved by the Joint Supervision Team.

CSU Convenor Zaongtoshi stated that the upcoming evaluation will cover the entire building by a neutral third party, unlike the previous limited checks, and that rectification and retrofitting work will be closely monitored by the Joint Supervision Team.