PHC building construction comes under Madras High Court scrutiny in Sivaganga
PHC building construction at Kandaramanickam village in Sivaganga district has come under the spotlight after a Public Interest Litigation raised serious allegations of irregularities, poor quality work, and prolonged delay in public use. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has sought explanations from district authorities, bringing renewed attention to infrastructure accountability in rural healthcare.
The case revolves around a newly built outpatient block at the Primary Health Centre in Kandaramanickam. According to the petition, the building was completed in 2023 at a cost of around ₹80 lakh under the “Namaku Naamae” scheme, a programme that encourages community participation in development works. A significant portion of the funding, nearly ₹38 lakh, was reportedly contributed by a villager, highlighting the public trust and expectations attached to the project.
Despite completion, the building has remained locked and unused for nearly two years. This prolonged inaction has caused inconvenience to residents who depend on nearby government health facilities for basic medical care. With the outpatient block not operational, villagers are forced to travel nearly 10 kilometres to reach another government hospital in Thirupathur, a distance that poses difficulties especially for the elderly, pregnant women, and patients requiring frequent visits.
PHC building construction quality questioned as cracks appear in unused structure
The plea alleges that although the PHC building construction was officially completed, visible cracks have already appeared on the structure. This, the petitioner claims, strongly indicates the use of substandard construction materials or poor workmanship. The fact that deterioration has set in even before the building was opened to the public has raised serious questions about oversight, inspection, and contractor accountability.
According to the petitioner, the condition of the building reflects not just negligence but a potential misuse of public and community-contributed funds. The allegation is particularly serious because healthcare infrastructure in rural areas is limited, and any delay or defect directly affects access to essential services.
The petition further states that repeated requests to local authorities to inspect and open the building yielded no concrete response. As a result, the matter was taken to court, seeking judicial intervention to ensure that the facility is repaired, certified safe, and opened for public use without further delay.
The plea also seeks action against the contractor involved in the project. It questions whether proper quality checks were conducted before certifying the building as complete and whether payments were released despite visible defects.
PHC building construction delay draws court’s attention to accountability
During the hearing, the Madras High Court bench expressed concern over the allegations and sought clarity from the Sivaganga district administration. The judges questioned whether any action had been initiated against the contractor and whether the tender amount had already been paid.
These observations underline the court’s focus on administrative responsibility and financial transparency. By asking specific questions about payments and action taken, the court signalled that mere completion on paper is not sufficient if public infrastructure remains unusable.
The case has been adjourned for a month to allow authorities to file their response. This response is expected to clarify the status of inspections, payments, and reasons behind the delay in opening the building. It may also reveal whether standard procedures were followed during and after construction.
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The issue highlights a broader pattern seen in several public infrastructure projects, where buildings are completed but remain unused due to technical clearances, quality concerns, or administrative delays. In healthcare, such delays have direct consequences on public welfare.
Local residents hope that court intervention will finally push the authorities to act. For them, the building is not just a structure but a much-needed healthcare access point that has remained out of reach despite being physically present in the village. Also Read: Kovalam Mahabalipuram Reservoir Project Sparks Strong Resistance From Coastal Villages
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding PHC building construction in Kandaramanickam reflects deeper concerns about quality control, accountability, and timely delivery of public healthcare infrastructure. The High Court’s scrutiny may prove crucial in ensuring that the facility is repaired, opened, and made useful to the community it was meant to serve.
