SWABI, Dec 3: Construction work on the third portion of the District Hospital Complex has been stopped again by the communication and works department, raising fears about an indefinite delay in the completion of the hospital.

In a related development, the executive district officer, health, has refused to take over the two completed portions of the building, citing non-availability of staff and equipment for the hospital.

Sources said the communication and works department had ordered suspension of work on the basis of reports that cracks had appeared in the building, indicating that substandard material had been used in construction.

Official sources told this correspondent on Friday that district Nazim Jehanzeb Khan and the district coordination officer had visited the under-construction hospital to look into the reports of poor quality of work.

The source said that an inquiry would be initiated against the contractor. It is learnt that when the contractor tried to hand over the completed portions of the building to the health department, the executive district officer concerned refused to take over the building.