Awantipora,17-Sep;Two AIIMS were approved by the central government in 2019, one in Jammu and another in Kashmir at an estimated cost of Rs 1828 crore on 221 acre of land. The projects were scheduled to be completed by 2025; however, the army’s objection delayed the construction of Kashmir’s first premier medical institute.As per Army, the proposed AIIMS campus hugs the military garrison and has a common boundary wall of 1.7 km and the NoC guidelines issued by the Ministry of Defense dated May 18-2011 stipulate that “no construction within 100 meters and no buildings above the four stories within 500 meters from the periphery of the military garrison”.‘’There were ten multi-story buildings (10 to 38 meters high) which directly overlook the sensitive installation of contagious military garrisons”.In December last year, the centre directed the J&K administration to set-up a temporary campus adjacent to the proposed site of AIIMS Awantipora for starting medical courses from this academic year.Meanwhile, locals said that the army’s objections affected the work on the project for almost 9 months.“Kashmir does not have good medical infrastructure or a hospital of the standard of AIIMS. The project should have been completed on time,” said Showkat Ahmad, who lives close to the area where the AIIMS will come up.Another local, Abdul Qayoom, opined that the army should have sorted out the matter with the authorities much earlier. “Things like approvals andobjections usually happen at the beginning. But in this case, army raised these issues, which delayed the work of this much-needed project,” he said.However, Chief Engineer cum Executive Director, Central Public Works Department, Shishir Bansal told that the work is to be carried out on a priority basis as it would eventually end the current dearth of requisite health care facilities in the Kashmir division.“The people have huge expectations associated with this mega project As the functioning of this hospital will considerably lower the pressures on health care facilities in Kashmir division”. The induction of modern and advanced medical technologies in this hospital will act as a panacea for patients who are helpless but to travel to Delhi and other parts of the country for better treatment facilities,” he said.On being asked about the current work status in the campus, he said, the current scope of work involves construction of 17 blocks including Ayush block (B+G), night shelter, teaching /academic block and shopping complex.Animal house, UG Boy’s hostel, PG boy’s hostel, married hostel, UG Girl’s hostel, PG girl’s hostel, nurse’s hostel, Type 2 residential quarters, Type 3 residential quarters, Type 4 & 5 residential quarters, Type 6 residential quarters, Type 7 residential quarters, Type 8 residential quarters, guest house/multipurpose gym, blocks have also been under continuous work from last year as these blocks didn’t violate the NoC guidelines.The hospital will have 750 beds and will treat 1,500 patients daily at the OPD. (CNS)
