Subhash Mahajan
Chamba
Bhatiyat Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania today performed the foundation rituals for the construction of Primary Health Centre (PHC) buildings at Gram Panchayat Mel and Chuhan. Addressing the public gathering, he said that strengthening healthcare services in rural areas is among the top priorities of the state government.
The new PHC buildings will be constructed at a total cost of ₹6.58 crore, with ₹3.73 crore allocated for Mel and ₹2.85 crore for Chuhan. An initial grant of ₹2 crore each has already been released, while the remaining funds will be provided as construction progresses. Pathania directed BSNL officials, the executing agency, to begin work within a week and complete the project within one year.
The new facilities will include modern healthcare infrastructure along with residential quarters for doctors and staff, ensuring round-the-clock availability of medical services. Once completed, PHC Mel will serve villages like Mel, Nainikhad, Belli, and Sudli, while PHC Chuhan will benefit residents of Chuhan, Samleu, and Moranu—covering nearly 5,000 to 6,000 people.
Highlighting the government’s efforts, Pathania said that vacant posts of doctors, nurses, and health workers in Chamba district have largely been filled, and postgraduate courses are being introduced at Chamba Medical College to increase the availability of specialist doctors.
He further emphasized that the government is committed to providing better healthcare, roads, electricity, clean drinking water, and other basic facilities to every village. In Bhatiyat constituency, formalities for the construction of 39 new roads are underway, while ₹165 crore worth of projects are being implemented to strengthen drinking water supply.
During the event, Pathania also listened to public grievances, resolving many on the spot and directing officials to address the rest promptly.
The program was attended by Zila Parishad member Pradeep Sharma, SDM Dalhousie Anil Bhardwaj, DSP Mayank Sharma, CMO Dr. Jalam Singh Bhardwaj, and other senior officials along with local panchayat representatives and residents.
