Jaigaon, April 29: Construction of a 30-bed rural hospital in Madarihat resumed today after the contractor and local building material suppliers arrived at an agreement thanks to the efforts made by residents of the area.

The contractor, Amalesh Goswami, had stopped the work three days ago, accusing the local traders of putting pressure on him to procure material from them at high prices.

Nine youths today took up the initiative to hold talks at the construction site in the presence of block medical officer of health Sujan Sarkar. “We want our area to get this much-needed facility as soon as possible and the suppliers have agreed not to make any unreasonable demands,” said Sushil Ghosh, one of the youths.

Goswami said he had no problem with buying material from the local suppliers if the prices were according to the market rates. Sarkar praised the youths for ending the impasse.

The youths, however, placed a demand before Goswami: he should engage more local labourers for the work.

“I will decide on whether or not I can engage more unskilled labourers depending on the financial allocation for the project,” said Goswami.

“We will make sure that the work is not hampered at all and the hospital comes up by the middle of next year,” said Nihar Ranjan Ghosh, one of the youths.