Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday termed the upcoming AIIMS at Awantipora in J&K’s Pulwama district as the fulfilment of her father and party founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s long-cherished dream.
During a visit to the site in Awantipora, Mehbooba expressed satisfaction that work on the AIIMS is progressing well, and assured the authorities that she will provide all support she can in expediting the project, including her intervention with Union Health Minister J P Nadda.
“I am delighted to visit the site where the AIIMS is being constructed. This was a dream of my father. Although there were some delays due to various reasons, the work is now progressing well,” she told reporters after the visit.
“This institute will serve as a model for the entire region. The location itself is beautiful, and I feel that patients will experience a sense of well-being in this environment,” she said.
The former J&K chief minister also requested the AIIMS authorities that locals of Awantipora and adjoining areas be given a priority in the recruitment for non-professional or non-technical posts.
In a post on X, Mehbooba said the project was initiated by the PDP.
“Mufti sahab envisioned and laid the foundation for AIIMS Awantipora in 2015, and today I’m delighted to see his dream come to fruition. Much progress has been made on this crucial institution – a project initiated by the PDP over a decade ago,” she said.
She also said that AIIMS Awantipora has the potential to emerge as one of the leading centres of healthcare, medical education and research in J&K.
“Request Union Health Minister @JPNadda ji to kindly expedite completion of this vital institution so that quality healthcare services can reach the people of J&K at the earliest,” she added in the post.
PDP MLAs Waheed Para and Mohammad Rafi Naik accompanied Mehbooba to the site.
However, ruling National Conference (NC) leader Ifra Jan questioned Mehbooba’s visit to the site and her updates on its current status.
“In what capacity? Unless the BJP organised this briefing for its ally, since AIIMS is a Central government project and it would not have been possible without the Centre’s approval,” Jan, NC’s social media in-charge, said on X.
