AIIMS Jammu: No Tangible progress

Even date for foundation laying not decided yet

DEEPAK KHAJURIA

JAMMU: Soon after the formation of BJP-led NDA government at Centre and BJP-PDP coalition in the state, a big announcement was made for Jammu and Kashmir in 2015. It was about setting up two AIIMS-like institutions; one each in Kashmir and Jammu regions.
However, even as nearly half of 2017 passed, the status of Jammu AIIMS project is still not clear. So much so, that even the date of foundation-laying has not been decided yet.
The Modi Government had announced setting up six new AIIMS-like institutions, one each in Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Bihar.
The announcement was made in Budget Speech 2015-16.
Soon after the announcement, an agitation started in Jammu region over demand of a separate AIIMS for Jammu. The agitation was led by BAR association and Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI) and in time the civil society also joined in.
Later, when PM Narendra Modi announced the Rs 80,000 crore development package for Jammu & Kashmir on 7th November, 2015, it included setting up of two AIIMS like institutions for health care in J&K.
The state government decided that the Jammu AIIMS would be set up at Vijaypur and Kashmir AIIMS at Awantipora.
More than a year and a half have passed since, but let alone the start of construction, even the date of foundation laying has not been decided yet.
A total over 1900 kanals of land adjoining to the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway was identified for the institute at Vijaypur, including 293 kanals of state land and 1,395 kanals of Forest land.
On January 10, 2017, state Health Minister Bali Bhagat said that 1,951 kanals of land has been unidentified at Vijaypur, Samba for AIIMS in Jammu.
He said Rs 8 crore has been released to Collector Land Acquisition Samba for acquisition of 176 kanals land and the necessary acquisition procedure has already been initiated.
The transfer of 293 kanals of state land was taken up with revenue authorities, while Forest Department Advisory Committee also approved transfer of 1,395 kanals of land to Health and Medical Education department, subject to the release of compensation of Rs 6.61 crore.
According to the latest developments, as per official sources, the Forest Department has transferred the land to Health department and now the district administration is in the process of clearing it. They said that a big chunk of this forest land was being inhabited by nomads since last many years. The state government mooted the proposal for allotment of 10 marlas of land to each nomad Gujjar family putting up at the site.
"Earlier, around 78 families of nomads claimed land compensation, but now this figure increased to over 100 families. It takes time to clear all this," said sources in the revenue department.
However, district administration is working in right direction and the required machinery of PHE Department for construction has been transported to the site.
Deputy Commissioner, Samba, Sheetal Nanda said, "The process in this regard is on, and district administration is moving as per the rules."
However, when probed further, official sources in Health and Medical Department said that the date for the laying of foundation stone for Jammu AIIMS is yet to be finalized and moreover, no deadlines for project's start and completion have been worked upon yet.
The CPWD has been appointed as the agency for the construction work of the two new AIIMS in the state, but the agency is yet to conduct final survey.
Sources added that the Draft Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) Memo has been prepared to get approval of Rs 1630 crores for establishment of AIIMS in Jammu Division.