Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Dec 22: The proposed All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will be established in Samba district as the High level Central Health Ministry team led by Union Joint Secretary Health, Rakesh Kumar after visiting several sites in the State have finally suggested that Vijaypur and Ghagwal in Samba district are idle places for establishment of prestigious Medical institute in Jammu region.
According to official sources, the team which was on two days visit of the region after visiting the sites yesterday met Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh and Health, & Medical Education Minister Choudhary Lal Singh here, today to discuss the modalities for establishment of AIIMS with them.
Sources said that 200 acre of land is needed for establishment of AIIMS in Jammu region and the Revenue authorities of the Samba district who took the team round the two places intimated them that 200 acres of State land was available at both the places and final decision regarding selection of site lies with them.
Sources said that both the sites are nearer to Jammu -Pathankote National Highway as well as the Railway stations of Samba and Vijaypur. However Vijaypur is emerging as a central location for the Jammu region. Sources said establishment of AIIMS at either of these two places can also cater to the patients of two neighboring states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Keeping this aspect in view the authorities turned down the earlier proposal of establishing the institute at Nagrota, sources added.
Sources said AIIMS in Samba district will be equidistant for the people of far-flung areas of Kishtwar, Doda , Ramban and Kathua districts as well as Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch districts of the region.
Sources said the team will submit its report to Union Health Ministry soon after its arrival at New Delhi. The Union Health Ministry has already constituted a Committee to finalize the modalities for establishment of the AIIMS. The Committee after studying the report of the team will finalize the site, sources added.
After approval of the site by Union Health Ministry, the land acquisition process will be started, sources said. It may be recalled that Central Government has earmarked Rs 2000 crore for establishment of AIIMS.
Besides. Rakesh Kumar, the other members of Central team included Sanjeev Srivastav, Director PMSSY and Rajeev Kanaujia, senior Architect.
The team, which, met the Health and Medical Education Minister, Ch Lal Singh at his office chambers here held a detailed discussion with him. Mr Singh also gave clarifications vis a vis check list to the team.
The Minister later informed Excelsior that soon after the approval is accorded by Union Health Ministry and site is finalized, the land acquisition process will begin. The Minister said that coalition is committed to establish two separate AIIMS one each at Jammu region and Kashmir Valley and next week the Central team will visit Valley also for identification of the land.
The team also called on Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh in his office chambers at Civil Secretariat here earlier and discussed the salient features of two sites of Samba district with him also.
Deputy Chief Minister informed the team that the establishments of AIIMS would go a long way in ensuring that the people of the region get the best healthcare and related facilities and they would not be required to travel distances for such healthcare services.
The Deputy Chief Minister while complimenting to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for allotting the premier health institution to Jammu said that by doing so he has fulfilled long pending demand of the people. He said he has also taken up the matter of fast pacing the prestigious institution with the Union Health Minister who has assured him of ensuring its time bound completion.
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