The Ao Lanur Telongjem (ALT), the apex Ao youth organisation, has extended full support to the Chungtia Village Council and the Chungtia Students’ Union (CSU) over the issue of substandard construction of the 50-bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital at Sabangya.

Standing in solidarity with the community’s demand for accountability and quality in this vital public project, the ALT expressed deep concern over the reported lapses in construction, that have even been acknowledged by the contractor, KC Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd.

“The admission of ‘lapses’ is a serious indictment of the work being carried out and confirms the legitimate grievances raised by the local bodies,” the ALT stated in a press release issued by its President, Convener Imnaonen Pongen, and Co-convener Tia Longchar.

Pointing out that public infrastructure projects, particularly healthcare facilities, must be executed with the highest standards of quality and integrity, the ALT commended the Chungtia Village Council and the CSU for their proactive and vigilant stance.

“Their ultimatum for a joint inspection is a reasonable and necessary step to ensure that the rectification work is not merely a superficial fix but a genuine effort to address the core issues. It is unacceptable that despite their efforts, there has been no official response from the Department of Health & Family Welfare,” it stated.

The ALT called upon the Department of Health and Family Welfare to immediately schedule a joint inspection involving the Chungtia Village Council, the CSU, district administration, civil societies, and the concerned officials. Such an inspection, it said, is crucial to transparently assess the extent of the damage and the quality of ongoing repairs.

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Stressing that the rectification process must be comprehensive and not just a quick patch-up job, the ALT said the Department must hold the contractor accountable to standards that ensure the hospital’s longevity and safety.

It further urged the Department to prioritize public satisfaction over expediency. “While the contractor aims to meet the January 2026 deadline, this cannot come at the expense of quality. The satisfaction of the community and the public must be the paramount goal, not just the ‘satisfaction of the Department’,” it asserted.

The ALT also flagged the absence of official response from the Department as a “failure of communication” and demanded open and transparent dialogue with stakeholders, along with a clear plan of action.

Emphasising that the AYUSH Hospital represents a significant investment in the health and well-being of the community, the ALT said: “We cannot allow this project to be marred by poor workmanship.”

Reiterating its stand, the youth body declared, “The Ao Lanur Telongjem will continue to monitor the situation closely and will not hesitate to take further action to ensure that the concerns of the public are addressed and a quality hospital is delivered to the people of Mokokchung.”