Times of India
30 June 2010
Pune, India

Demand For Facility Was Pending For Years
Beneficiaries of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) staying in Pimpri–Chinchwad will now get treatment at a dispensary in Akurdi.

Working as well as retired government employees have been facing inconvenience for several years now as there is no CGHS dispensary in Pimpri–Chinchwad. The problem has now been solved with the Union Health ministry giving approval to shift one of the seven dispensaries located in Pune city to Akurdi. There are nearly 30,000 CGHS card holders in the district, of which approximately 50 per cent stay in Pimpri–Chinchwad.

Additional director of CGHS, Dr Pashupatinath, said the dispensary at Lullanagar in Pune will be shifted to Akurdi. "The demand for a dispensary has been made for over 15 years now. We would start it as early as possible," he said.

The new dispensary will be located near the government accomodation quarters, close to the Akurdi railway station. Work on the dispensary has begun as two quarters have been allotted by the Central Public Works Department for the purpose.

S S Ranade, a retired BSF commandant, said the need for a CGHS dispensary in the area has been felt more as many Central government offices like Income–Tax and Central Excise have now shifted to Akurdi. Moreover, there are already a number of defence units in Talegaon and Dehu Road areas. "The nearest CGHS dispensary for us is at Range Hills in Khadki. People have to travel a long way to reach the place," he said.

About two years back, the local CGHS authorities had proposed to start two dispensaries in Pimpri–Chinchwad. However, the plan remains on paper. Meanwhile, another proposal was made to shift a dispensary from Lullanagar to Akurdi, which has been approved.

The location at Akurdi, according to beneficiaries, is convenient since it is near the railway station. The area is also well connected by city buses.