Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 27: In a major development, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has given nod of Rs 4900 crores to Jammu and Kashmir Government for setting up of two new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-one each at Awantipora in Pulwama district of Kashmir valley and Vijaypur in Samba district of Jammu region.
The approval has been conveyed in a written communication sent today by Sudeep Shrivastava, Director PMSSY, Union Health and Medical Education Ministry addressed to Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, Commissioner/Secretary Health and Medical Education Department dated 27th May.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the Union Health and Medical Education Ministry headed by Jagat Prakash Nadda has given nod of Rs 4900 crores to Jammu and Kashmir Government including Rs 2000 crores each for land acquirement, construction etc for the two AIIMS and Rs 900 crores for faculties, other staff etc.
When contacted, Health and Medical Education Department Minister Bali Bhagat confirmed to the Excelsior that his Department today finally received approval letter for construction of two AIIMS in Jammu and Kashmir and provision of funding for them.
Bhagat said the State Government has already approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi for convenient date to lay foundation stone of both the AIIMS in Jammu and Kashmir. He added that the Prime Minister will lay foundation of both the AIIMS, most likely sometime in June.
The official letter on approval of two AIIMS for Jammu and Kashmir has stated that for the Jammu AIIMS at Vijaypur in Samba district, the State Government should ensure removal of all encroachments permanent/ temporary from the proposed site.
“The State Government shall provide seamless connectivity between two patches of the site separated by National Highway either by underpass (of suitable height ensuring fire safety norms) or overbridge,” the letter written by Sudeep Shrivastava said.
He added that the State Government should ensure compliance of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) norms and make provisions for NHAI norms like service roads etc as applicable in that zone.
Shrivastava called upon the State Government to keep provision of electricity and water supply to cater for full-fledged functional AIIMS (rough requirement will be 15 MVA for electric supply and 15 lakh litres per day water supply).
“The State Government shall get all clearances from Forest Department and get possession of entire site,” he said, adding the State Government shall take necessary steps to protect site from flooding of Devak river during Monsoon by providing for check dams, drainage arrangements etc.
In addition to the above, the Union Health Ministry said, the State Government shall also obtain necessary clearances with respect to the Forest land for its use for new AIIMS.
As far as conditions to be fulfilled for new AIIMS for Kashmir region were concerned, the Union Ministry said the State Government shall provide undertaking regarding required water, electricity and four-lane approach road up to the proposed site at Awantipora.
“The State Government shall assure the disposal of storm water and maintrunk sewer line beyond the boundary of plot. It shall also ensure that the firing range of the Army as located adjacent to the proposed site at Awantipora is closed permanently or relocated by providing another piece of vacant land,” the Union Health Ministry communiqué said.
It also reiterated similar requirement of water and electricity supply as proposed for the AIIMS in Jammu.
It has asked the Jammu and Kashmir Government to ensure clearance of the site from all angles as specified in the letter. It has sought an intimation from the State Government about the clearances.
Follow our WhatsApp channel