Asserting that the government is focusing on the development of the Government General Hospital (GGH), Kurnool, Industries and Commerce Minister T.G. Bharath Gupta said they were committed to elevating the hospital, currently ranked third in the State, to the top position.

Mr. Bharath on Saturday performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a 150-bed ‘Visram Sadan’ at the GGH premises to provide accommodation for attendants of patients, at a cost of ₹14.67 crore. The project is being funded by the Power Grid Corporation of India under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. Panyam MLA Gouru Charitha Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of the Power Grid Corporation of India Vamsi Rama Mohan Burra, and various government officials were present.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Bharath said all necessary clearances had been granted for the project and urged the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) to complete the construction within 10 months.

He said large numbers of patients from Andhra Pradesh, as well as neighbouring Telangana and Karnataka, visit the Kurnool GGH for treatment and that the new facility would greatly benefit them.

Mr. Bharath directed GGH Superintendent Venkateswarlu to ensure that the premises around the building are kept clean and hygienic once the facility becomes operational, and to create awareness among residents about maintaining cleanliness.

Mr. Vamsi Rama Mohan said the corporation had so far allocated nearly ₹100 crore for various developmental works in Andhra Pradesh under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Earlier, funds had also been sanctioned for a CT scan facility at the Kurnool GGH, he added.

Ms. Charitha urged the authorities to complete the construction work at the earliest.

Dr. Venkateshwarlu said around 20% of the patients visiting the hospital every day come from different parts of Telangana and neighbouring Karnataka. However, there are no adequate accommodation facilities for patients and their attendants during their stay, he said. He added that 60 cents of land had been allotted for the rest house and that the Power Grid Corporation had come forward to construct the facility.