Awantipora, Nov 04 (KNO): Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda will visit the under-construction All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Awantipora in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday to review the project's progress and preparedness for the start of healthcare services.
Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Nadda will assess infrastructure, ongoing construction work and preparations for the phased rollout of services at the institute.
The visit is significant as the much-awaited project has missed multiple completion deadlines, with residents across Kashmir awaiting its operationalisation.
The Outpatient Department (OPD) is expected to become functional later this month, subject to the completion of pending works and operational formalities.
Officials said efforts are underway to expedite the remaining infrastructure, install medical equipment and secure mandatory clearances required for the commencement of patient services.
An October-end target for launching OPD services could not be met due to pending works and procedural requirements.
At a review meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Kuldeep Krishan Sidha on October 16, officials said the overall physical progress of the project had reached around 81 per cent, while financial progress stood at over 72 per cent.
Hospital Block-I has been completed, while Hospital Block-II is nearly complete.
The administration has directed executing agencies to resolve pending issues and ensure that ready facilities are made operational without further delay. During a visit to the institute on October 23, the Deputy Commissioner also stressed that departments ready for operations should be opened in phases instead of waiting for the entire campus to be completed.
Officials said electricity and water connections are in place, while heating systems, lift safety clearances, mandatory no-objection certificates and other operational requirements are being addressed on priority.
AIIMS Awantipora is being developed as a 750-bed tertiary care hospital comprising 57 buildings, with facilities for specialised treatment, medical education, research and advanced diagnostic services.
While the first phase is nearing operationalisation, several academic, administrative, residential and hospital facilities remain under development.
Officials said four buildings under Phase II are targeted for completion by the end of November 2026, while major Phase III works, including Hospital Blocks 3 and 5, are scheduled for completion by June 2027—(KNO)