The multi-specialty hospital on Omandurar Government Hospital is likely to be inaugurated in 10 days.
Those who are part of the hospital say that all works, both in terms of civil nature and installation of medical equipment, have been completed. Medical staff and para-medical staff have also been posted.
The Public Works Department has been sanctioned about Rs. 27 crore for carrying out structural works and the Health Department around Rs.76 crore.
The complex where the hospital has come up was originally meant to accommodate the State legislature, and some important offices of the Secretariat, including those of Chief Minister, Ministers and Chief Secretary. With the change of regime in May 2011, the government decided to shift the Secretariat back to Fort St. George. Even though the move led to litigation, the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal, a year ago, gave its nod to the proposal to establish the hospital.
Meanwhile, work on civic infrastructure around the hospital has begun. The Chennai Corporation has removed 40 loads of debris from the premises. Ten bins with 1100 litre capacity have been placed to facilitate conservancy operations on a temporary basis expecting five tonnes of solid waste to be generated per day.
Biomedical waste will be removed by another agency, civic officials said.
As the main gate of the hospital is likely to be located on the Swami Sivananda Road side, the civic body is planning to improve infrastructure at the junction to enable commuters from Chintadripet MRTS station and MTC bus stops to reach the hospital easily.
Expecting people to visit the hospital from the Walajah Road as well, the civic body is looking at partial pedestrianisation and a tender would be floated for this purpose this week itself.
A bicycle track from Anna Salai to University of Madras would be designed keeping in mind the requirements of visitors to the hospital, officials said.
A proposal for easing traffic congestion near entry and exit points from the road adjoining the site and declaration of hospital area as a ‘no horn zone’ with signboards will all be in place before the inauguration.
