Bhubaneswar, June 7: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, continues to suffer from power problems, despite depositing Rs 3.4 crore with the Central Electricity Supply Utility (Cesu) of Odisha more than a year ago.

The premier medical facility was promised a 33KV line from the nearest 132KV grid. But, the institute is yet to get the connection.

The institute has been pursuing the matter with officials of Cesu and the state health department. “It has been more than one year since we have deposited the amount. I had even sought to impress upon the state authorities the urgent need for permanent power supply to the institute,” said AIIMS director A.K. Mahapatra.

The institute is managing its requirement from a 250KVA line, which is insufficient. “The requirement is 1,500KVA, which will enable us to start various labs and equipment,” said an AIIMS official.

The urgency of permanent source of electricity arises as the outpatient departments (OPDs) have started functioning this week and 50 students were enrolled last year. With a 75-bed hospital service of AIIMS, which is likely to come up in August, the institute is in dire need of a permanent power supply.

Similarly, earlier on April 17, in a meeting with the AIIMS director, the Cesu officials had committed that the work would be over by May 10 to facilitate opening of the OPDs. But, it is limited to digging trenches for laying cables. The AIIMS officials are also apprehending that the work might be delayed as the monsoon is round the corner.

On the other hand, a Cesu official said there was delay in procurement of cables. “We have floated a tender to procure cables. The work will be over by the end of July,” said Cesu chief executive officer Sudarsan Nayak.

Another area of concern for the institute remains the lack of cell phone and telephone connectivity on the campus. Though the campus has more than 500 BSNL cell phone subscribers, most of them remain unreachable there.

Though the institute had provided an area to set up a telephone exchange on the campus, the work is yet to be done. The AIIMS authorities had also demarcated two places to set up telephone towers, but the work is stalled.

“It is unbelievable that someone cannot talk with his relatives and family members from the campus of such a premier institute. Most of the time, we have to roam around to find network,” said a student.

“The work for a telephone exchange is being executed in full speed. It will be over by the end of this month,” said general manager of the BSNL for Bhubaneswar telecom district P.K. Hota.

Moreover, the streetlights installed from the NH-5 bypass to the AIIMS campus are yet to be functional. Though the authorities have installed light posts along with bulbs, they are yet to get electric connection. “This has been long since the poles were installed. But without electricity, we are forced to take the road that remains dark after sunset. The authorities should redress the problem as soon as possible,” said a senior AIIMS official.

Coming up on a 100-acre campus at Sijua village on the city outskirts, AIIMS will be a 978-bed hospital with 15 super-specialty and 18 specialty wards.

There will be 10 blocks in the hospital and colleges. The Centre has allotted Rs 820.49 crore for the project.