Idukki: Health Minister Veena George has granted the contractor undertaking the Nedumkandam Taluk Hospital project an additional 15 days to complete the pending construction. Failure to meet the deadline or deploy adequate manpower will result in termination of the contract and blacklisting, the minister said during a review meeting on Monday.

The Minister directed that 150 to 200 workers be deployed daily to expedite the ₹149-crore project funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). She personally inspected the ongoing construction of the OP block and reviewed the overall progress. The hospital, one of the largest health infrastructure projects in the state, is expected to significantly improve medical facilities in the high-range region.

KIIFB had earlier decided to terminate the contractor due to repeated delays, but construction resumed after the contractor secured court permission to continue. Despite the work progressing, KIIFB has not yet released any payments to the contractor. The ₹149-crore project, sanctioned during the tenure of MLA M M Mani as minister, includes the construction of OP and casualty blocks. 

Citing financial constraints faced by the contractor, KIIFB, the Special Purpose Vehicle Heights (HLL Infra Tech Services Ltd), and the contracting firm have entered into a tripartite agreement to procure and supply building materials directly. The Minister noted that such tripartite agreements are rare in the state.

A special team will monitor progress over the next 15 days to ensure timely completion and sufficient workforce deployment. The government aims to make at least one block operational by February.

The review meeting was presided over by MLA M M Mani. Participants included Nedumkandam Block Panchayat President K T Kunj, Grama Panchayat President Premi Lalichan, Block Panchayat Member Vijayakumari S Babu, District Medical Officer Dr K N Satheesh, Taluk Hospital Superintendent Dr Sharon Joseph, District Programme Manager Dr E K Khayyas, DHS Assistant Director (Planning) Dr Sukesh Raj, Junior Administrative Medical Officer (Planning) Dr V N Vineeth, and Junior Administrative Medical Officer (Medical) Dr Sarun Ghosh.