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Residents of Padmanabhapuram have urged for the inauguration of newly constructed Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) in the town citing its enhanced facilities and accessibility. At present, the UPHC under the Padmanabhpuram municipality functions at the Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare’s government hostel for school girls in Mudakkulam. Due to the deteriorated condition of the existing building, the UPHC was shifted to the hostel building a few years ago. Following the proposals submitted by Padmanabhapuram municipality, a new building for the UPHC was constructed at a cost of ₹75 lakh, which still awaits inauguration. Sekar, a resident of Padmanabhapuram, highlighted that the residents were forced to visit the UPHC at Mudakkulam, although the construction of the new building was completed a few months ago. He said that inauguration of the new facility would be helpful for the residents, given its location. S.E. Mesiya, District Secretary of VCK, Kanniyakumari Central, pointed out that many residents in the locality are still not aware of UPHC’s relocation to Mudakkulam, which forced them to seek other facilities even for first aid and dog bites. He urged that the government must prioritise the inauguration of newly constructed UPHC in Padmanabhapuram. A source from the Padmanabhapuram municipality council said the facility had been decorated two times in the past few months in anticipation of the inauguration, which was postponed due to official reasons. An official from the Padmanabhapuram municipality confirmed that the construction had been completed. The local body had submitted a proposal for around ₹50 lakh for compound wall, waiting shelter, and other infrastructure facilities as requested by the health department. However, an official from the health department told The Hindu that the building would be inaugurated by the Chief Minister shortly. “The proposal for additional infrastructure is an ongoing process, which has no part in the delayed inauguration,” he said.
