The NCDC branch under construction at Ambala Cantonment will be completed within the next 18 months – Energy, Transport & Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij

Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Sh. J.P. Nadda conveyed the information to Energy Minister Sh. Anil Vij through a letter

Instructions issued to the concerned Central agency CPWD to complete the construction of NCDC – Anil Vij

The NCDC branch is being built at Ambala Cantonment at a cost of around Rs. 17 crore – Vij

Chandigarh, August 21 – Haryana’s Energy, Transport & Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij said that the branch of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under construction at Ambala Cantonment will be completed within the next 18 months.

Sh. Vij informed that in this regard, a letter has been sent to him by Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Sh. J.P. Nadda. Notably, the letter stated that instructions have been given to the concerned Central agency, CPWD, to complete the construction of this branch within 18 months.

The Energy Minister said that recently the first installment of Rs. 1.39 crore has already been released to CPWD. Significantly, the NCDC branch at Ambala Cantonment is being constructed at a cost of approximately Rs. 17 crore.

Sh. Vij said that at the NCDC being set up in Naggal, Ambala Cantonment Assembly constituency, there will not only be facilities for conducting tests for various diseases but also research on diseases will be carried out, which will benefit people from Haryana, other states, and across the world.

He added that this branch is being established on over 4 acres of land so that along with tests, research on various diseases can also be undertaken. Once opened, this branch will be able to conduct tests related to different diseases for Haryana as well as for seven neighboring states. With the NCDC branch coming up at Ambala Cantonment, people from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan, and others will have easy access to testing for various diseases.

Sh. Vij further said that the first phase of work for the construction of the NCDC branch has already begun. As per NCDC provisions, a laboratory will be built and CPWD is working on it. It is notable that Ambala Cantonment was chosen for the NCDC branch because it is well connected by air, railway junction and road network. Additionally, the Atal Cancer Care Centre, Civil Hospital Ambala Cantonment, and three medical colleges are located nearby, from where regular samples can be collected.

Importantly, the NCDC branch will help in detecting, controlling and preventing new infectious diseases such as Ebola virus disease (2014), Pandemic Influenza A H1N1 (2009–10), and the SARS outbreak. The branch will also work on detecting, treating and preventing outbreaks of air, water and food-borne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A & E, chickenpox, and measles.

Facilities at NCDC

Ground Floor – Reception, waiting area room, lobby, conference hall, admin office, security room, IT video room, Head of NCDC’s office, and other administrative offices.

First Floor – Sample collection & utility room, waiting room, lobby, climate change room, EOC room, training room, IDSP, epidemiology staff room, pantry, and other rooms.

Second Floor – Laboratories and other equipment, including climate change room, macro lab bacteriology, AMR lab, lab teaching & demo room, AMR officer room, virology lab, lobby, and other rooms.

Third Floor – Non-BSL lab area, BSL-2 lab area, staff common room, open terrace, pantry, and other rooms. The entire building will also have two lifts.
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Feasibility check to be conducted for operating a new passenger train between Ambala Cantt. and Chandigarh – Energy, Transport & Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij

Expressed hope – Feasibility study will be completed soon and people of Haryana will get this new passenger train in near future – Anil Vij

With the start of this new train, passengers will get affordable, safe and convenient travel facilities – Vij

Chandigarh, August 21 – Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that a feasibility check will be carried out for operating a new passenger train between Ambala Cantt. and Chandigarh.

Sh. Vij informed that last month he had written a letter to the Union Railway Minister, Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw, requesting the operation of a passenger train between Ambala Cantt. and Chandigarh. Responding positively, the Union Railway Minister has informed that keeping public convenience in mind, instructions have been issued to conduct an operational feasibility check for the new train on this route. Once the feasibility is confirmed, further action will be taken.

The Minister said that a large number of employees, students, traders and labourers commute daily on the Ambala–Chandigarh route. Currently, dependence on bus services and private vehicles is high, which increases both time and cost. With the commencement of this new passenger train, commuters will not only get an affordable, safe and convenient travel facility, but traffic pressure on roads will also reduce.

Sh. Vij further said that Ambala Cantt. is a major military and industrial hub, while Chandigarh is the administrative capital of the state and the region. Thousands of people travel daily between these two cities for jobs, education, healthcare and trade. A direct train service will therefore boost regional economic activities and make life easier for common people.

He expressed hope that the feasibility check will be completed soon and that the people of Haryana will benefit from this new passenger train in the near future.