Structural concerns emerge during inspection; AKM demands technical evaluation
The Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) has raised serious concerns over the delay and substandard quality in the construction of the Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH), Mokokchung. After inspecting the ongoing works on Wednesday, the apex student body reported that plaster was falling off the walls and cracks were visible from the ground to the top floor – even before completion of the building.
“If cracks are appearing and plaster is peeling even before the building is completed, it is too risky to accommodate a hospital in such a structure,” AKM president Lanutoshi Aier told reporters during the site visit.
Years of delay and shifting deadlines
The construction project was sanctioned in 2018 under the National Health Mission (NHM) with a budget of Rs 13.75 crore. As per the work order, the stipulated timeline for completion was 36 months from the issuance of the order or from the date of handing over the site, whichever was later. Although the work order was issued in January 2018, AKM stated that actual construction began only in 2022.
In September 2023, AKM submitted a representation to KC Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd., the contractor, expressing concern over prolonged delays. Following this, the contractor reportedly assured the district administration that the construction would be completed by March 2024, a deadline that was missed. Another assurance was made to complete the work by September 2024, which AKM says has also not been met.
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Allegations of substandard construction
The AKM also highlighted an earlier inspection conducted by Ao Senden in May 2024, during which low-quality cement was detected and rejected. However, by that point, much of the foundation and main structure had already been completed using inferior materials.
AKM further said that the construction did not appear to follow the approved Detailed Project Report (DPR), lacked quality control measures, and was proceeding at a slow pace. The AKM warned that the poorly constructed building could collapse in the event of a natural disaster.
Demand for technical evaluation and accountability
Calling for immediate government intervention, AKM demanded the formation of a technical evaluation team of qualified experts and stakeholders to assess the ongoing work. The team must identify structures that require demolition and reconstruction, it said.
“As citizens of Mokokchung and stakeholders, we cannot allow patients to be housed in such substandard buildings,” AKM stated, adding that if quality compromises are confirmed, the remaining contract must be cancelled, a new tender floated, and the existing firm blacklisted.
Uncertainty over government funding
The project was initially sanctioned under NHM 2017-18 at an estimated cost of Rs 13.70 crore. Nagaland Health Minister Paiwang Konyak visited the site on November 20, 2024, and announced an additional Rs 3 crore for the hospital’s completion, assuring early completion. However, AKM said they were unsure whether the promised funds have actually been released.
Delay in Block B adds to concerns
The current construction pertains to Block A of the IMDH ‘main hospital building’. Block B, which involves demolishing the old structure, is yet to begin and can only start after Block A is completed. AKM expressed skepticism over the timely completion of Block B, citing the already delayed progress of Block A.
“You can imagine how long it will take to complete Block B. Patients are already suffering. IMDH is not only for Mokokchung, it caters to people from districts like Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, and others,” the AKM president said, urging the government to expedite the entire project.
More work ahead, no timeline in sight
Expressing dismay over the delays, the AKM president noted that lighting, electrification, plumbing, and other finishing work will only begin after the structural phase is complete, work that could take another year at the current pace.
“At this rate, the hospital may not be completed anytime soon. The people of Mokokchung cannot wait that long,” he said, reiterating AKM’s demand for cancellation of the contract and a fresh tender process.