The construction of a crucial 500-bed hospital and associated facilities at the Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) in Daltonganj, Jharkhand, has been severely hampered by an acute shortage of sand, leading to massive delays and missed deadlines. The multi-crore project, vital for healthcare in the Palamu region, is now struggling to meet even revised completion targets.
Costly Delays and Black Market Woes
Work on the G+6 building complex began in December 2019, but progress remains painfully slow, with not a single floor fully ready. A primary culprit is the scarcity of local sand. A functionary of the construction agency revealed that sand must now be sourced from Dehri and Sherghati in Bihar, a process that is both highly costly and time-consuming compared to using local material.
The official explained that while local sand ghats exist, they either lack sufficient material or the sand is only available through the black market. "Our agency pays royalty and GST. Buying illegal sand is against our principles," the functionary stated, highlighting the ethical and legal bind stalling progress.
Shifting Deadlines and Penalty Threats
The project has seen a series of broken promises. During an inspection in January 2025, the then Principal Secretary (now Additional Chief Secretary) of Health, Ajoy Kumar Singh, was assured that the hospital would be handed over by August 2025, with at least OPD services commencing. Singh had warned that a penalty of 2% of the estimated cost per month could be imposed for delays, up to a maximum of four months.
However, as of December 2025, handing over even one storey remains a distant prospect. MMCH Principal, Dr. P N Mahto, told TOI that the agency has now assured the handover of at least four storeys by June 2026. "Interior works are ongoing," Dr. Mahto said, adding that the agency claims a huge workforce is giving final touches to four storeys besides the ground floor.
Structural Issues and Official Scrutiny
Compounding the delay are structural problems. Tiles fitted on the building's exterior have begun to fall, becoming a liability. The construction agency has suggested replacing these tiles with texture painting as a solution.
District Commissioner of Palamu, Sameera S, expressed serious concern over the "tardy" pace of work. Following a review meeting last month, she noted that the agency appears to be dragging its feet on the entire project, from the 500-bed hospital to the auditorium. "We will send a detailed report... to the additional chief secretary of health in the coming days so that the agency can be asked to speed up the work," the DC stated.
The ongoing crisis underscores the broader challenges of infrastructure development in the region, where the availability of basic construction materials like sand can derail critical public health projects, leaving communities waiting indefinitely for promised facilities.
