AIIMS Kashmir Likely to Miss January 2025 Deadline. The highly anticipated All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Awantipora, Kashmir, is expected to miss its January 2025 deadline, with nearly 30% of the project still incomplete. Despite considerable progress over the years, challenges have hindered the timely completion of this critical healthcare infrastructure.
AIIMS Projects in Jammu & Kashmir
In 2019, the Union Government approved two AIIMS projects for Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen the region healthcare facilities. While AIIMS Jammu has been successfully completed and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, work on AIIMS Awantipora has lagged behind.
Officials confirm that 70% of the construction work has been completed. However, with only a month remaining until the initial deadline, completing the remaining 30% by January 2025 is deemed unfeasible.
Reasons for the Delay
Several challenges have contributed to the delay of the AIIMS Awantipora project:
- Legal Disputes: Issues over land acquisition for access roads slowed construction progress.
- Post-Abrogation Restrictions: The abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 brought regulatory and logistical hurdles.
- Proximity to an Army Base: Security protocols surrounding the nearby military area created additional challenges.
- Adverse Weather: Erratic weather conditions in the Kashmir Valley further hampered construction activities.
- COVID-19 Pandemic: The global health crisis disrupted the workforce and supply chain for a significant period.
Resident Concerns
Residents of Awantipora and surrounding areas have expressed concern over the delays. With limited healthcare infrastructure in Kashmir, the region urgently needs AIIMS Awantipora to address critical healthcare gaps. Locals have urged the government to expedite construction to reduce the hardships of patients seeking treatment for severe and life-threatening illnesses.
Despite the delays, officials are confident that the facility will be completed and operational by June 2025.
Key Features of AIIMS Awantipora
The AIIMS Awantipora project, approved at an estimated cost of ₹1,828 crore, will significantly bolster healthcare services in Kashmir. The facility will include:
- 1,000 beds, with 300 designated as super-speciality beds.
- A medical college accommodating 100 students and a nursing college for 60 students.
- State-of-the-art infrastructure, including:
- 57 buildings for hospitals, hostels, and residential quarters.
- Recreational facilities such as a football ground, tennis courts, and gardens with medicinal plants.
Current Status
Officials report that significant progress has been made, particularly over the past two years. Construction on four academic blocks, multiple hospital buildings, and hostel blocks is nearing completion. Efforts are ongoing to hand over the facility to the concerned authorities as soon as possible.
Revised Timeline
The government has now set December 31, 2024, as the updated deadline for construction. However, officials are optimistic that AIIMS Awantipora will be fully functional by June 2025.
Conclusion
The completion of AIIMS Awantipora is a vital step toward improving healthcare in the Kashmir region. While delays have been unavoidable due to external factors, the project promises to deliver world-class medical infrastructure to a region in dire need. Accelerating efforts and maintaining focus on the new timeline will be essential to ensure the facility becomes operational, benefiting thousands of residents and enhancing Kashmir’s healthcare landscape.