AIIMS at Basohli

Sir,
The announcement about AIIMS for Jammu has sent ripples throughout the State.In democracy every  district or tehsil, having bright prospects for development in the coming days, has got the right to stake its claim forthe establishment of such prestigious institute there because the ‘closed mouth doesn’t catch the flies’. It is obvious who will not aspire to have such type of prestigious national institutions established in their district or tehsil. Before giving a final nod the State Government should ascertain whether the suggested locations in the state do fulfill the needed requirements related to connectivity, geographical location, accessibility and the targeted catchment area and population. Like AIIMS at Delhi and PGI at Chandigarh the benefits of AIIMS for Jammu are not confined only to the limits of the state where it is located rather they are to be shared by the population living in its adjoining states as well.
In the coming days town Basohli, which was once considered as the farthest and terminating point of Jammu and Kashmir State, is going to get the pride of becoming the gate way of the state. Anticipating the future prospects of the town there can never be a better choice than Basohli for the establishment of the prestigious institutions like AIIMS.
There is plenty of Government and private land at Basohli needed for the AIIMS. Shortly, Bsohli is going to be connected with Anantnag district of Kashmir division via shortest route passing through Bani,Bhaderwah and Doda. Basohli will also prove a better choice even for those illaqas falling on either sides of Jammu-Srinagar highway beyond Udhampur because whole interstate vehicular traffic from Kashmir division will prefer Udhampur- Basohli or Anantnag Basohli route to the traditional Jammu Pathankot route. In addition to the connectivity within the state, Basohli is linked with the district Chamba, district Kangra of Himachal Pardesh and district Pathankot, district Gurdaspur of Punjab. The AIIMS at Basohli will be suitable and nearest medical institution for them as compared to the institutions at Delhi or Chandigarh.
It will be in the interest of the State Government to take initiative in disseminating the benefits of development to other parts of the state rather crowding the already crowded cities.
Yours etc…
Shiv Kumar Padha
Basohli