New Delhi: Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Thursday reviewed the construction and operationalisation of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Awantipora, and directed the concerned agencies to complete the remaining construction works by March 2027.
The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers also stressed expediting the procurement of medical equipment, recruitment of faculty and other personnel, and completion of operational arrangements to facilitate the early commencement of services at the institute.
During the review, Nadda was informed that construction of AIIMS Awantipora was nearing completion, with all major buildings already completed. He appreciated the efforts of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and other agencies involved in the project, acknowledging the challenges posed by the site’s terrain and other constraints.
Describing the institute as a priority project, he asked the concerned agencies to maintain the pace of work and adhere to the March 2027 deadline for completing the remaining infrastructure.
The Minister also reviewed the phase-wise construction and handover plan. It was informed that Phase-I buildings, including the OPD Registration Block, OPD Block, residential buildings and designated hostels, had been completed, while inventory verification and formal handover processes were underway.
The remaining academic, administrative, hospital, residential and hostel infrastructure is being taken up in phases.
Emphasising the need to operationalise the institute without delay, Nadda directed HITES and the Executive Director of AIIMS Awantipora to work in close coordination and expedite procurement of medical equipment, OPD instruments, laboratory equipment, and medical and administrative furniture.
He stressed that all essential equipment and other requirements for starting OPD services should be procured on priority.
The Minister was informed that procurement approval had been conveyed for 180 medical equipment items worth ₹59.41 crore, with Notices of Award issued for 140 items. Procurement of OPD instruments, laboratory furniture, and medical and administrative furniture was also at various stages.
Reviewing the preparedness for the commencement of medical services, Nadda directed the institute to ensure that equipment, diagnostic facilities, manpower and other operational requirements were in place in advance.
OPD services at AIIMS Awantipora are targeted to commence before December 2026, while inpatient department (IPD) services are proposed to begin in July 2027, subject to completion of the requisite infrastructure and operational arrangements.
Academic activities, including MBBS classes, are proposed to commence in the 2027–28 academic session, beginning June-July 2027.
The Union Health Minister also reviewed the recruitment process and appreciated the efforts of the Executive Director and the institute’s team in taking it forward. He directed that recruitment be expedited to ensure the availability of qualified faculty at the earliest.
He also stressed speeding up recruitment against non-faculty positions and engaging the manpower required for the commencement of OPD and other services.
The Ministry has approved the engagement of essential manpower for operationalising OPD and related services, including hospital attendants, housekeeping and sanitation personnel, and security staff. The proposed arrangements cover 652 positions across various categories, including 150 security personnel.
Nadda further reviewed institutional readiness and support arrangements, including campus security, transport connectivity, website development and operational partnerships.
He called for effective coordination among AIIMS Awantipora, CPWD, HITES and the local administration to address security and other operational issues and ensure the smooth functioning of the institute.
The Minister said timely completion and operationalisation of AIIMS Awantipora would expand access to tertiary healthcare and specialised medical services in Jammu and Kashmir, besides strengthening medical education and healthcare capacity in the region.
