Trauma Care Center Stuck in Tangle Between NHAI, TG Government

Nalgonda: The Trauma Care Center proposed at Korlapahad on National Highway 65 in Nalgonda district has gone into cold storage owing to a tangle between the Health department of Telangana and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

A joint venture with ADP India, the trauma care centre had been planned across 6,500 square feet near Korlapahad

toll plaza in Kethepally mandal in Nalgonda district. The centre had been intended for treatment of individuals injured in road accidents along the highway, thereby significantly reducing the number of fatalities.

Roads and Buildings minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy laid the foundation stone for the trauma centre in July 2024. He announced that it will become functional by September 8 in the same year.

However, NHAI objected to construction of the trauma care centre on the highway authority’s land. The authority went on to remove the plaque marking the foundation stone. The project went into cold storage as the state government did not allot any alternative place for construction of the centre.

Significantly, over 160 accidents had been reported last year on National Highway 65 between Hyderabad and Kodada, which falls in Telangana state. About 40 people have died. Incidentally, the national highway on this stretch has 17 black spots.

Social activist Shaik Ibrahim said hundreds of deaths and disabilities have occurred on this part of the national highway 65 so far.

Except for Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) at Narketpally and Government General Hospital at Suryapet, there is no major hospital on the highway between Hyderabad and Vijayawada. Treatment within the golden hour is a major handicap.

Shaik Ibrahim has requested the state government to enable construction of the trauma care centre at any place between Nakrekal and Korlapahad, which is the middle point between Hyderabad and Vijayawada.