‎Srinagar, Sept 24 (KNS): The proposed modernisation of the Chest Disease Hospital at Dalgate, Srinagar, has hit a regulatory hurdle, with the government awaiting permission from the J&K Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) and the Building Operation and Controlling Authority (BOCA) before granting administrative approval to the project.
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‎The Health and Medical Education Department informed the Legislative Assembly that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a new G+4 building, estimated to cost ?19.99 crore, was prepared and received by the department in February 2026 after being vetted by the concerned Chief Engineer of the Public Works (R&B) Department.
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‎The DPR was submitted for administrative approval, but the department said the approval could not be accorded as the requisite permission from LCMA and BOCA is still awaited.
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‎The issue was raised by MLASheikh Ahsan Ahmed Pardesi, who sought details about the condition of the existing Chest Disease Hospital building, the status of the proposal for its replacement and the reasons for the delay.
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‎The government acknowledged that the hospital is presently functioning from an old heritage building at Dalgate. However, it said the required standards of medical treatment were being maintained.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
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‎The department said the proposal for the new building had already been formulated and the DPR had been vetted before being submitted for approval.
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‎“Administrative Approval could not be accorded by the Department, as the prerequisite permission from the J&K Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) / Building Operation and Controlling Authority (BOCA), Srinagar, is still awaited,” the government said in its reply.
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‎The government said that once the requisite permission or NOC from LCMA is received, the department will initiate the process for according administrative approval to the project.
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‎It also said a token provision of ?3 lakh has already been earmarked for the project under the Capex Budget 2026-27.
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‎The department said the provision could be enhanced at the Revised Estimates stage based on the actual progress of execution. It added that the necessary funding and execution modalities would thereafter be taken forward as per the prescribed procedures.
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‎The government said the process was being pursued with a view to commencing the work at the earliest after completion of the required approvals.(KNS)