Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) coming up at Awantipora in Pulwama district is likely to be fully functional by the end of next year.
Abdullah, who visited the AIIMS site along with Health and Education Minister Sakina Ittoo, said after initial delays in execution of the project, the pace of work has picked up, and the institute is expected to be functional by November next year.
“The director and the CPWD (officials), who are supervising the works, have assured me that the OPD will be started in March-April next year, which will be followed by starting classes. The IPD (In-Patient Department) is expected to be functional by November- December,” the chief minister told reporters.
Asked about the delay in the project, Abdullah said the location for the hospital was identified after taking into account various factors, including Army’s concerns.
“It was not checked whether the site is fit for a hospital. Then there were concerns from the Army about the project. So the detailed project report had to be prepared afresh, and those (Army) concerns were addressed. One year was lost in that.
“However, now the project work has picked up pace and it will be completed soon,” Abdullah added.
Asked about the FIR in connection with the vandalism of the Ashoka emblem at the Hazratbal shrine, the CM said the administration should first explain the need for putting up a plaque.
“First, a mistake was made, and there was no apology for that. When the people expressed themselves, the administration took it out on them. They should first tell us what the need was for putting up the stone (plaque).
“Sher-e-Kashmir constructed the structure of the dargah that exists today. He did not install the stone…. There was no need,” he added.
Earlier, the Chief Minister Omar chaired a meeting to review the progress of ongoing works at the AIIMS.
Reviewing the status of infrastructure development, procurement of machinery, workforce mobilization and allied works, the Chief Minister stressed that strict adherence to timelines is critical for commissioning this prestigious project. He directed the executing agency to expedite all pending works and ensure their completion within fixed deadlines.
According to an official press release, Omar Abdullah emphasized that AIIMS Awantipora must be commissioned as a single integrated unit, with both OPD and IPD services made operational simultaneously for the benefit of the general public.
To facilitate this, he instructed the executing agency to fortnightly review the status of the progress of works.
The Chief Minister also called upon the executing agency to mobilize additional manpower and machinery to accelerate the pace of work. He reviewed in detail the physical and financial progress of the project, including the construction of the main hospital building, priority building works, approach road, water supply, final master plan, routes to emergency department and other allied facilities.
He further impressed upon them the need to ensure proper stabilization of the surrounding areas, especially in view of the recent heavy rainfall and the institution’s location on hilly terrain.
Earlier, Executive Director AIIMS, Dr. Mohanty, briefed the meeting on the progress achieved so far, informing that MBBS courses are scheduled to commence in July 2026, while OPD and allied services are expected to become functional early next year, with the institution fully operational by the end of the same year.
The Chief Minister also inspected the site, the premises and perused the master plan of the institution.
CM reviews preparations for upcoming Kashmir Marathon
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday chaired a meeting to review preparations for the upcoming Kashmir Marathon-2025, a flagship sporting event aimed at promoting sports, fitness, tourism, and Kashmir’s vibrant culture.
According to an official press release, the chief minister emphasised that the marathon must go beyond being a sporting event to become a holistic cultural and tourism experience.
He directed officials to tie up with hotels, restaurants, and local businesses to provide special packages for participants and visitors, allowing them to explore Kashmir’s hospitality, cuisine and heritage during their stay.
Abdullah also suggested introducing 10 km and 5 km runs for local participants in addition to the full and half marathons, thereby expanding community engagement and encouraging youth participation.
Stressing the importance of sustainability, the chief minister called for efforts to secure a title sponsor for the mega event to ensure financial viability and greater brand visibility.
Taking into account the Delhi Marathon and Diwali festivities, Abdullah instructed that the Kashmir Marathon-2025 be scheduled on November 2 (Sunday), 2025, instead of October 19 as proposed earlier.
The director of Kashmir tourism briefed about the scale and structure of the event. The second edition will feature a full marathon (42.19 km), half marathon (21.09 km), and a 10 km run, covering iconic locations of Srinagar, including Poloview, Rajbagh, Lal Chowk, TRC, Nishat Garden, and SKICC, offering participants the autumn backdrops of Kashmir.
On the occasion, the chief minister launched the promotional video of Kashmir Marathon-2025 and was presented with his participation certificate from last year’s edition, in which he completed the half-marathon.
Reiterating his government’s commitment to the event, Abdullah said the marathon will be positioned as a world-class sporting spectacle that celebrates the Valley’s beauty, promotes tourism, and fosters a spirit of health, wellness, and community togetherness.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the CM, Nasir Aslam Wani; Additional Chief Secretary to the CM, Dheeraj Gupta; Additional Chief Secretary Tourism; Principal Secretary Finance; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Secretary IT, Information and GAD; and other senior officials, an official spokesman said.
