Srinagar, Aug 17: Minister for Health and Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education and Social Welfare Sakeena Itoo on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of major infrastructure and development projects being implemented by the Health, Education and Social Welfare departments across Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting focused on the physical and financial progress of ongoing works, including infrastructure projects, Capex and SASCI schemes, fund utilisation, procurement of equipment and implementation of decisions taken during previous review meetings.
The Minister directed officers to ensure strict adherence to timelines, close monitoring and clear accountability at every stage. She stressed that expenditure must correspond with actual physical progress and called for immediate removal of bottlenecks delaying project execution.
Reviewing healthcare infrastructure in Kashmir, the meeting was informed that the 125-bedded District Hospital at Reshipora, Budgam, has achieved 75 per cent physical progress and is targeted for completion by March 2027.
The Minister was also informed that a proposal for establishing a Critical Care Hospital Block at Uri has been initiated, with five kanals of land identified at Mohara.
In Jammu division, Itoo reviewed the proposed Trauma Centre at Surankote, UT Capex works and the 100-bedded hospital at Sunderbani. Construction of the Sunderbani hospital is nearing completion, while equipment worth ₹66 lakh has been requisitioned and the facility is expected to become operational shortly.
The Minister also reviewed ongoing works and development activities at GMC Handwara, GMC Srinagar, SKIMS Medical College Bemina, GMC Rajouri, Government Ayurvedic College Akhnoor, GMC Kathua, GMC Jammu and GMC Anantnag.
At GMC Rajouri and GMC Kathua, she reviewed Capex and CSS works, Dental Units and procurement of essential equipment. The meeting was informed that the upgradation of the GNM Nursing School to a Nursing College at GMC Rajouri has reached 65 per cent, while construction of the Teaching Hospital at GMC Kathua is at an advanced stage.
At GMC Jammu, the Minister reviewed Capex and CSS projects and was informed that several works have either been completed or are nearing completion. The functioning of the Emergency Dental Unit and District Early Intervention Centre at SMGS Hospital was also assessed.
Itoo directed officials to accord priority to the procurement of critical medical equipment and completion of healthcare infrastructure, emphasising that timely availability of facilities and equipment directly affects the quality and accessibility of patient care.
“Every sanctioned project must ultimately translate into a tangible improvement in public service delivery. There should be no avoidable delay in execution, and every rupee allocated for development must be utilised efficiently and transparently,” she said.
The Minister also called for stronger coordination among executing agencies, healthcare institutions and departments, along with regular monitoring of major projects and timely reporting of critical milestones.
She directed that completed infrastructure be made functional without delay so that the intended benefits reach the public at the earliest.
Itoo reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding specialised medical services and ensuring accessible, efficient and patient-centric healthcare facilities across Jammu and Kashmir.