The Chungtia Students’ Union (CSU) has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Principal Director, Health & Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland, demanding an immediate halt to ongoing work and a joint technical inspection of the 50-bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital at Sabangya, Mokokchung district.
The Chungtia Village Council (CVC) and CSU on September 1 jointly carried out verification of the construction site and, after inspection, served the ultimatum citing serious concerns over the prolonged delay, lack of accountability, and what they described as “substandard quality” of the project.
In the ultimatum, CSU pointed out that as per records from the Medical Engineering Division under AYUSH section, a total amount of ₹4.42 crore (442.91 lakhs) was sanctioned for the project, and a work order was issued on March 5, 2019 to KC Infra Projects Private Limited for the construction of the Ground Floor within a period of 24 months and installation of water supply and sanitation within 6 months. However, despite the stipulated 24-month completion period, the hospital has not been completed even after more than six and a half years.
According to CSU, an RTI reply received by them states that 65% progress has been achieved, but the Union contends that the figure does not match the actual work visible on the ground. The ultimatum stated that this prolonged delay has left “such an essential hospital incomplete and unable to serve the people in need.”
The Union further alleged that deficiencies in workmanship have been observed in the ongoing construction, raising serious concerns about the structural integrity and serviceability of the building. It warned that even if the hospital is completed, the compromised quality may lead to deterioration or potential failure, thereby posing significant risks to public safety and all prospective users of the hospital facilities. On these grounds, CSU demanded that all construction activities must cease immediately and remain suspended until further notice.
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The ultimatum went on to insist on a Joint Technical Inspection of the building in the presence of Department Technical Personnel to properly assess its structural integrity. It specified that such an inspection should include, but not be limited to, Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity tests, Rebound Hammer tests, and Core Cut Sampling to verify the quality of construction. The Union has asked for these tests to be conducted within ten days from the date of the ultimatum, stating categorically that no compromises will be made with respect to the quality and safety of the structure.
It also cautioned that in the absence of such technical tests, any assessment or assumption made by the
Union regarding the structural soundness of the hospital shall be considered final and binding from its end. Furthermore, if the results of the Technical Inspection or assessments indicate that the construction does not meet the required standards, the Union said it will be “constrained to explore further courses of action,” for which it shall not be held accountable for any consequences arising thereafter.
Speaking to the press, Zaongtoshi Jamir, Convenor of CSU, said the work order was issued to KC Infra on
March 5, 2019, yet the construction is still incomplete after more than six years. He remarked that “the construction is ongoing as a shadow project” and described the quality of work as “substandard.”
Jamir revealed that since 2023, CSU and the Chungtia Village Council have been closely monitoring the construction. During this period, they have never once encountered the site engineer deployed by the contractor. He added that no concrete test cubes of columns have been prepared at the site and that no
Request for Inspection (RFI) record book has been maintained, both of which are standard requirements for quality verification.
Jamir further informed that CSU and the Village Council inspected the construction site for eight to nine days this year, but not once was the site engineer present. The team also found disturbing defects: the building already shows cracks, there are leakages from the rooftop slab, the plaster can be crushed by bare hands, and even the MS rods used in the foundation are in question. He stressed that such poor workmanship is unacceptable, particularly for a hospital building meant to cater to the health needs of citizens.
“This issue is concerning because the AYUSH Hospital is not only for the citizens of Mokokchung but also for Nagas in general,” Jamir said. “We want a hospital of standard quality where patients will be treated with care in safe infrastructure, and not one that endangers lives through its construction.”
Jamir said that the 50-bedded AYUSH hospital building, comprising 27 rooms, has developed major cracks and leakages due to poor workmanship. He described the condition of the structure as substandard and said, ‘We are totally unsatisfied with the quality of construction.’
Assamwati Longchar, Chairman of the Chungtia Village Council, speaking to the press, stated that on
December 5, 2023, the Council had submitted a representation to the Principal Director, Health and
Family Welfare, but no response has been received. He said that the hospital is being constructed in a very poor manner, and therefore the Village Council fully supports the stand taken by the CSU. He also appealed to all civil societies in the state to support the cause for the hospital. Further, he mentioned that in November 2024, Health and Family Welfare Minister Paiwang Konyak visited the construction site of the AYUSH hospital, but the Village Council and the Students’ Union were neither informed nor aware of the visit, and they have no knowledge of what the department had taken up during that time.
