Roorkee: Doors stolen, window-panes yet to be installed and bricks visible from damaged walls. This is the state of a post-mortem house in Laksar that has remained non-functional ever since it was constructed around a decade ago.Conceptualised in 2008, the autopsy centre was built at a cost of Rs 80 lakh in 2009 by the rural works department.However, a decade has passed, but the centre remains defunct. Sources in the health department told TOI that an application was sent years ago to the state home department to seek its approval to start its operation, but it has been lying pending with them.“We had sent an application, seeking their approval to start operations, but it has been pending with the home department,” said an official in the state health department, who did not wish to be named.There are only two post-mortem houses in Haridwar district. One in Roorkee, and other in Haridwar city. On an average, 150 autopsy examinations are conducted on daily basis.The scarcity of an additional autopsy centre has crated a lot of problems for the police officers in Laksar. They say that one has to either travel to Haridwar or Roorkee to get the post-mortem examination done.“The post-mortem house in Laksar should begin its operation soon. It will save a lot of time and energy for us, who cover a lot of distance to get the autopsy done,” said circle officer of Laksar police, Swapan Kishore Singh.When TOI contacted Haridwar’s chief medical officer, Dr Prem Lal to ask when the centre would begin its operations, he said, “We are taking necessary steps so that Laksar has its own post-mortem house. We have written to our senior officials, and the matter will be resolved soon.”

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