Guwahati: Even as Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh marked its 80th Foundation Day on Tuesday, the prolonged delay in opening the Dr John Berry White Medical School and Heritage Building on A.T. Road has once again drawn attention.
Despite the completion of renovation work, the historic structure remains unopened, raising concerns among local residents and heritage enthusiasts over its continued neglect and the delay in handing it over for public use.
The building holds considerable historical significance as the site where Dr John Berry White, regarded as a pioneer of modern medical education in Northeast India, established the Berry White Medical School in 1900. The institution eventually evolved into Assam Medical College and Hospital, which was formally established under its present name on November 3, 1947.
While AMCH celebrates eight decades of its establishment, the building that represents its historical beginnings continues to await formal inauguration.
The delay has also raised questions about the proposed transfer of the renovated structure to the Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation (DMC). Although discussions were reportedly held regarding the handover, the process has yet to be completed.
Expressing concern over the condition of the premises, a Dibrugarh resident said the project was an important heritage asset for the town but appeared to have received little attention from the authorities.
The resident pointed out that creepers had grown around the building and that its iron entrance gate had reportedly been damaged by miscreants. Despite the completion of restoration work, the premises continue to remain unattended, the resident added.
The restoration project itself has witnessed several delays. Oil India Limited (OIL) and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on January 10, 2018, for the conservation and restoration of the historic building. However, the project reportedly missed multiple deadlines, delaying its completion and eventual handover.
The Sentinel had previously published several reports highlighting the delays and alleged administrative apathy surrounding the project. The newspaper had also filed a Right to Information (RTI) application seeking details about the project’s progress and the reasons for the delay. However, an earlier report stated that no response had been received from the concerned department.
The continued delay has renewed concerns over the preservation of Dibrugarh’s historical heritage. The building is not merely an old structure but also represents Dr John Berry White’s contribution to the development of medical education in Northeast India.
As AMCH marks its 80th Foundation Day, questions remain over why the renovated heritage building has not been opened, which authority is responsible for the pending handover, and when it will finally be made accessible for public use.
The preservation of historical heritage, residents and heritage enthusiasts argue, must go beyond restoration work. It also requires regular maintenance, protection and meaningful utilisation of the restored structures.