The age-old Asilo hospital at Mapusa is all set to be opened after renovation later this month.
The old Asilo hospital building was in bad condition and the medical facilities were moved to new District hospital.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said that Asilo, Mapusa, a heritage structure, is now ready to be inaugurated this month.
"The new facility will be used under the state health society for training programmes," he said.
Rane said that the renovation has been undertaken at a cost of Rs 8 cr by GSIDC.
However, the renovation and part construction of the heritage building for new state health training centre is completed but it is delayed by two years from due date. The renovation had commenced on Feb 24, 2014 and was due for inauguration on Dec 31, 2015.
But according to sources, till 2015 only 62 per cent of the project work was completed. The project was estimated at Rs 6. 85 crore but finally cost Rs 8.39 crore.
The work undertaken by GSIDC was constructed by Shivam Infratech and Vijaykumar Sawant associates.
This renovation of almost 100-year-old building and part construction included 90 per cent of internal plastering, east and west side compound wall, north and south block structural roofing, fixing of doors and window frames on the first floor, water proofing in toilets along with plumbing, electrical wiring and fitting, construction of storm water drains, etc.
This renovated structure will house an auditorium, seminar hall, computer lab, library, audio visual room, guest room, kitchen, lecturers’ cabins, deputy chief’s cabins, etc.
According to sources the completion of the project was delayed due to non-payment of the contractor bill. However, the project-in charge Jude Carvalho said that the project is completed and will be handed over to health department once the main electricity connection is fixed.
The building, which was declared unsafe in 2008, covers an area of 25,000 sq mt and was being used as Asilo Hospital. However, in 2008 when the PWD declared the building unsafe, Asilo hospital was shifted to District hospital Mapusa.
Dr Prithviraj Amonkar, a doctor from Mapusa, said, “A good initiative taken up by the government provided it benefits the local Goans other than outsiders who come to Goa and study in institute build at tax payers’ money. The infrastructure looks good and interesting but is the department having proper teachers and faculty to train the students?”
A local Advocate Gautam said, “This is one of the good initiatives where more employment opportunities will be created. Since there is no government educational institute in Bardez, people from Bardez and other constituencies will benefit from this institute.”