Tauseef Ahmad
Bandipora, April 18: The residents of Ashtangoo village in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Saturday raised serious concerns after cracks developed in an under-construction central laboratory being built under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission.
Locals allege that the ₹60 lakh project has already developed multiple cracks despite still being under construction, raising questions over the quality of work and possible misuse of public funds.
According to residents, the building’s foundation was not laid as per the approved plan and was constructed on the same soil without proper reinforcement. “The structure has cracks both inside and outside, and the ground beneath is eroding. This is a complete waste of public money,” a local said.
Another resident Bashir Ahmad alleged misuse of funds and demanded strict accountability. “This is people’s money. If ₹60 lakh has been spent, then those responsible must be held accountable. There should be a proper inquiry, and action must be taken against the contractor,” he said.
Locals also urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to order an inquiry into the alleged misuse of public funds, stating that such projects are rare for villages like theirs. “This is a central project that comes once in decades, especially for a village already struggling with healthcare facilities. We cannot afford to lose this opportunity due to negligence,” a resident said.
The facility, meant to function as a central lab catering to both human and animal samples across the area, is now feared to pose safety risks. Villagers warned that the damaged structure could lead to a major accident if not addressed.
The residents demanded a thorough inquiry, action against the contractor, and either recovery of funds or reconstruction of the building.
Locals also questioned the role of supervising authorities and urged MLA Nizamuddin Bhat to intervene and ensure accountability.
Meanwhile, a health department official said the Chief Medical Officer had visited the site twice for inspection, but both visits took place while construction was ongoing.
