The Tk 11 crore project for construction of an asthma centre at Nishindara in Bogra town has been cancelled as the allocated fund has been returned following failure of the ministry concerned to transfer the selected land to Public Works Department (PWD).
Besides, the work of Tk 4.96 crore project for '100-bed diabetic hospital' construction at Betgari has not started in time for the same reason, said sources at PWD Bogra Division.
Tk 11.07 crore allocated for implementation of the 'asthma centre project' at Nishindara was returned a few days ago as the Ministry of Health did not hand over to the land to the PWD for starting construction of the centre.
The contractor for the project was appointed in 2007 and the PWD sent several letters to the ministry for transfer of the project land.
It said the Construction work of a diabetic hospital at Betgari in the town at a cost of Tk 4.96 crore was scheduled to be completed by the last fiscal year but the work is yet to start.
After appointment of the contractor for the work in 2007, the PWD sent a letter to the health ministry for transfer of land for the project that year.
As the health ministry did not take any step in this regard, PWD sent several other letters but to no effect.
The situation led to cancellation of the project a few days ago and a new project proposal has been sent, showing Tk 6.66 crore as the cost for implementation.
Failure to start the work in time has raised the estimated project cost by Tk 1.17 crore.
According to the original plan, the Tk 4.96 crore construction work of diabetic hospital at Betgari in the town was scheduled to be completed by the last fiscal year.
This correspondent talked to the health secretary over phone to know about the two projects a few days ago when he said he had no knowledge in this regard.