Dispur hands over land for setting up of AIIMS

A long cherished dream of the people has come true: Sonowal

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, June 28: The Assam Government today formally handed over 571 bighas of land to the Centre for setting up an AIIMS in the State in a function held at Dispur.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal said, “A long cherished dream of the people has come true with the handing over of the land to Central government for setting up of AIIMS, Assam.”

Sonowal said that Prime Minister rendra Modi took the decision to set up AIIMS, Assam in deference to the wishes of the people.

“The people of Assam are elated that a world class health institute is coming up which will provide quality health care to them at affordable prices. People will no longer have to go outside the State for treatment once the health institute comes up, thanks to the laudable initiative of Prime Minister rendra Modi,” he said.

Sonowal said that the coming up of AIIMS, Assam would not only ensure quality healthcare but also herald a new dawn in medical education.

“The students of our State will get to know about the latest developments in health care,” he said.

Reacting to the agitations taking place in different parts of the State for AIIMS institute, Sonowal said, “Our government cannot do anything on this as a special Central team decides on selection of site.”

Sonowal said everyone has to work in tandem if AIIMS, Assam has to grow into a full-fledged institution.

“The people have to extend all support and cooperation to the government in the construction of the premier institution. A sea change will take place in the medical scene of the State with the coming up of AIIMS. Assam, as it will figure prominently in the medical map of the country,” he added.

The Chief Minister said the government will initiate steps to set up good health institutes in Barak valley, as well as in the hill districts.

“Our government will work wholeheartedly for setting up good health institutes in Barak valley as well as in the hill districts of the State,” he added.

State Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the State government handed over seven plots of land to the Central government for setting up of AIIMS, Assam and it selected the plot at Jalah near Changsari.

Dr Sarma disclosed that the Centre has asked the State government to provide electricity connection, water supply and construction of road. He said that the State government took 100 days to complete the entire process of acquiring the land and today it has been successfully handed over to the Central government.

Dr. Sarma said besides handing over the land, the State government has released Rs 8.8 crore to APDCL, Rs 10.79 crore to PWD and Rs 29 crore to PHED.

The Health minister pointed out that the institute to be set up involving Rs 1,000 crore will house 500 beds and 18 super specialty departments. It will provide medical education to 100 students, he added.

The Health minister also disclosed that the Central government has released Rs 22 crore to the State government.

Dr. Sarma said that an AIIMS institute on the lines of All India Institute of Ayurveda would be set up at Raha.

Dr. Sarma revealed that construction work could not begin for new medical colleges at Lakhimpur, Dhubri and Kokrajhar because of lack of requisite land for the purpose.

He exuded optimism that the land acquisition process would be completed within August 15 next and construction works would commence from January next year.

In this context, Dr. Sarma said the functioning of the three new medical colleges would begin in 2019. He also revealed that Diphu Medical College would be operationised in 2017. Dr. Sarma announced that five more medical colleges would be set up by the State government in due course.