HIMS unlikely to commence classes in new bldg by Aug 15

Haveri: The Haveri Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS) is likely to commence classes in its new building on August 15. Over 80 per cent of the construction has been completed, and the remaining is expected to be completed by year-end.

Construction firm KBR Infratech was given the task of completing the building by February 2023, but heavy rain, COVID-19, and other reasons delayed the work.

Two classrooms, three laboratories, two libraries, and hostel accommodation for 150 students will be completed by August. From September, the first and second batches will start in the newly constructed building.

Unhappy with the pace of construction work on the academic building, the previous government appointed IAS officer Mohammad Roshan, the then ZP CEO, as the nodal officer to monitor work on the project last year. Work picked up pace.

Recently, Haveri deputy commissioner Raghunandhan Murthy directed the contractor to complete the first phase of the project by August 15. Work on other structures including hostels, a hospital, and residential quarters for the dean and staff, is proceeding at a brisk pace. Interior works of the first phase and laboratories are underway.

The project is funded by the state and Central governments on a 40:60 ratio. The state has allocated Rs 170 crore while the Centre has provided 195 crore. While the construction cost is pegged at Rs 365 crore, Rs 114 crore is needed for hospital equipment, library books, and the upgradation of the district hospital. The total cost of the project is Rs 479 crore.

“Now 80 per cent of the civil works have been carried out and Rs 270 crore has been spent. Almost all of the campus' interior roads have been completed, and the rest will be completed this month. Only fence work would be pending as some farmers object to the approach road. All civil works will be completed by the end of this year," said an assistant engineer at the department of medical education.

Kiran Kumar, project head of KBR Infratech assured that they will hand over the first phase of the \building by August 15. Even the next batch of MBBS students will get accommodation at the new site because it will be completed by September. “We will hand over the buildings by this year's end except for the fence, which we will finish soon,” he added.