Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday visited the under-construction AIIMS campus at Awantipora in south Kashmir and expressed satisfaction over the progress of the prestigious healthcare project, which she described as a long-cherished dream of her late father and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
During her visit, Mehbooba was briefed by project officials about the construction status. Addressing reporters, she said she was happy to see the project moving ahead after facing delays over the years.
Recalling her father’s vision, Mehbooba said establishing AIIMS in Kashmir was among his major aspirations for improving healthcare facilities in the region. She said the institute would prove to be a game changer for Jammu and Kashmir, particularly at a time when the region is witnessing a growing burden of diseases such as cancer.
She noted that the institute’s research facilities would play an important role in understanding and addressing health challenges faced by the people of the Union Territory. Mehbooba also assured project authorities of her full support and said she was willing to take up any pending issues with the Union Health Minister if required to ensure timely completion of the project.
The PDP chief urged the administration to give preference to local youth from Awantipora and adjoining areas in recruitment for non-technical and non-professional posts at the institute. She said the project should not only strengthen healthcare infrastructure but also create employment opportunities for residents of the area.
Mehbooba expressed confidence that AIIMS Awantipora would eventually emerge as a major healthcare hub, attracting doctors, students and patients from across the region and contributing significantly to the local economy.
She also highlighted concerns raised by local residents regarding restrictions on construction activities within a 500-metre radius of the AIIMS campus. Stating that many people were facing hardships due to these limitations, she said she would take up the matter with the Divisional Commissioner and seek a resolution.
Referring to another landmark institution associated with her father’s vision, the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Mehbooba said it was gratifying to see that dream already realised. She expressed hope that AIIMS Awantipora too would become fully operational within the next one to two years, providing advanced healthcare services to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo took a swipe at the former chief minister over her visit, questioning the capacity in which Mehbooba was reviewing the project.
“Some people seem to be suffering from political amnesia. They still behave as if they are in power, even though they lost office in 2018 and have since been repeatedly rejected by the people,” Itoo said.
The minister said the elected government today is led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and questioned “in what capacity former rulers are conducting reviews of the AIIMS Awantipora project.” She further asked who was signalling such exercises and “which power centre in Delhi is directing these actions.”
Itoo said it was ironic that those under whose tenure the project had moved at a slow pace were now attempting to claim ownership of its progress. She maintained that AIIMS Awantipora was moving towards completion because of the focused efforts, monitoring and commitment of the present government under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are wise enough to distinguish between those who delayed development and those who are ensuring its delivery,” she said.
