Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)

Mangaluru, Feb 21: The construction of the much-awaited six-storeyed new block of Government Lady Goschen Hospital has been stopped from the past few days. The building, which was proposed to be ready by January 2015, is likely to have only the first three floors ready by July 2015.

Former union minister Veerappa Moily on Saturday February 21 visited Lady Goshen hospital to inspect the works going on for the new block and urged to restart the work. Sources said that the contractor had stopped the work due to non-payment of Rs 25 lacs, but Moily said that the issue has been resolved.

Addressing the media, Veerappa Moily said, "Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has given Rs 21.70 crore for the project. It has been already sanctioned and locally, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) is executing it. The company has released Rs 9 crore to the contractor. The first three floors should be completed by July 2015 and will be given to Lady Goshen Hospital to operate. The remaining floors will be completed after the down three floors are completed fully.

"But from the past few days the work has been stopped and I have spoken to the contractor in this regard, and he has said that there are no outstanding payments. The bill for the remaining Rs 25 lacs is being processed. Therefore there is no reason to stop the construction work," he said.

"The contractor is solely responsible for the stoppage of work, and not ONGC or MRPL. Tomorrow I will speak to his (contractor's) chief who is in Bengaluru, and I will convince them to complete the work quickly. Last time when I had visited this place the pace of the work was very slow. After my intervention, the work started moving faster. Only because of demand for escalation (of salaries), the work was stopped and the court will handle the issue. Earlier there was delay in sanctioning the funds, but now there is no financial problem. Lady Goshen Hospital really needs this new block because there are lot of pregnant women getting admitted. This is a very sensitive matter. I will also personally review this project. Action will be taken once the construction work is completed," he added.

When the media questioned Moily on the corporate espionage case and whether he was concerned about the copies of input on budget speech being stolen from the petroleum ministry in New Delhi, he said, "It is a matter of concern for everybody. This has to be quickly investigated and the accused should be punished.

"I do not want to blame anybody," said Moily when asked if any leader from the ruling or other parties was responsible for stealing the documents.

District health officer Dr Shivkumar, superintendent of Lady Goschen hospital Dr Shakuntala, former mayor Shashidhar Hegde, T K Sudhir, MLC Ivan D'Souza, depty mayor Kavitha, Ashok D K and others were also present on this occasion.