Medical minister Girish Mahajan pulls up contractor for JJ hostel work

State medical education minister Girish Mahajan (right) with JJ hospital officials on Wednesday

State Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan has pulled up the PWD and contractor for shoddy work at Sir JJ hospital. The minister, who visited the hospital premises on Wednesday after resident doctors called off their strike, looked at several buildings, including hostels, and expressed displeasure about the quality of work. During his visit to the hostel, the minister pointed at broken tiles and plaster. He has directed the Public Works Department to ensure quality work.

An official from the hospital told mid-day, "The minister met with several officials and then looked at some of the buildings on the campus. He went to the MBBS girls' hostel and was unhappy with the work, especially the flooring, done by contractors. He then called PWD officials as well as the contractor to point out the issue and directed them to ensure good quality work from now on."

A dilapidated hostel building at JJ hospital

Mahajan reportedly also asked the hospital management to remove plants growing on the walls on the hostel buildings. A PWD official on the condition of anonymity said, "As per the minister's direction, we have asked the contractors to redo the floor work and the work is in progress."

Also Read: Mumbai: Row over child ICU at JJ hospital

In a report on October 3, mid-day had highlighted the poor condition of the hostel for the resident doctors of Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Hospital, one of the most prestigious medical colleges in the city as well as the state.

The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission took suo motu cognisance of mid-day's report and pulled up the Public Works Department and the dean. Following this, the state government sanctioned Rs 12 crore to carry out repair works.