Srinagar, May 01: The construction of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Awantipora is set to be completed by December 31, 2024, with officials planning admissions for the first of MBBS students this year.
Administrative Secretary, Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department, Bhupinder Kumar said the department is planning to start the academic session at the AIIMS Awantipora which will add to the medical seats in Jammu & Kashmir.
“We are working in the direction to start academics at AIIMS, and are planning to start MBBS admission this year. The construction work will continue in the winter months as well,” he said, adding that the pace of work is good.
Kumar said the project is going on smoothly and is targeted for completion by December 31, 2024. He said initially the project of AIIMS Awantipora was delayed due to some security concerns for which the master plan was revised which resulted in shifting and redesigning of various buildings.
“Matter regarding additional 34 acres of land for the project has also been resolved and Rs 94.16 crore stands released for the purpose which is being disbursed by the Collector Land Acquisition Awantipora,” he said.
The AIIMS Kashmir is being constructed on 221 acres of land and the project cost is Rs 1828 crore. Nagarjuna Construction Company Ltd (NCC) is constructing this prestigious health infrastructure in the valley.
Officials of the NCC said that around 57 buildings will be constructed under this project which includes hospitals, hostels, residential quarters, a football ground, tennis courts, gardens having medicinal plants, etc.
“Once completed, this will benefit the entire Kashmir Valley. They will not have to travel to far-off places upon its completion. It will save them time. This would be a super specialty hospital that would benefit the common man,” they said, adding, “It is going to benefit a lot of people. The importance of such hospitals can’t be over-emphasised. There would be a complete shift when it comes to healthcare facilities. There are government hospitals. AIIMS is at a different level of hospitals.”
The hospital would be monitored by the Central government which is solely funding it. “There are no fund-related problems. A lot of things are going on. It is for the benefit of the common people who often struggle to shift patients outside. It will bring change in their lives,” the officials said.
The AIIMS was approved by the Central government in 2019 at an estimated cost of Rs 1828 crore. The institute will add 1000 beds to its current capacity in Kashmir, including 300 super-specialty beds. The ambitious project also includes a medical college with a capacity of 100 students and a nursing college with a capacity of 60 students.
