Land ready for AIIMS in Kerala; State to submit detailed report by next month

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Velloor in Kottayam is adjudged to be the ideal location to set up the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the state. Kerala Paper Products Limited owns 692 acres of land, of which 227.18 acres are available. AIIMS can be constructed within 200 acres. The state received the land after center government sold the Velloor News Print Factory Centre.

The facilities required by the Union Health Ministry are met, while the government land is ample. There are also road and rail links. 56 km to Cochin Airport. Piravom Road Railway Station is nearby. By road, it is only 5 km from Kaduthuruthy on the Kottayam-Ernakulam route. Muvattupuzha River, a never-ending source of fresh water, flows through Velloor. Electricity is available from two 110 kV sub-stations

Such facilities are seldom available in other suggested locations. With the completion of the Nerekadavu - Makekkadavu bridge, Alappuzha will also enjoy the benefits. Although it is in Kottayam district, Velloor is close to the Ernakulam border and is interestingly very convenient for the people of Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts too. A team led by Health Department Principal Secretary Dr Sharmila Mary Joseph and Medical Education Director K.V. Viswanathan, who visited the project area, found it most suitable for AIIMS. The state will submit a detailed report with the recommendations of the Health Department to the Central Government next month. The report will be submitted, including revenue documents. After that, the Central Government will conduct a feasibility study and take a final decision.

Central government considering Thiruvananthapuram?

Although ten places were earlier considered, only seven made it to the final list. Out of these, the Thevancode area near Nettukaltheri in Kattakada, Thiruvananthapuram, is likely to be considered by the Centre. Meanwhile, out of the 692 acres in Velloor of Kerala Paper Products Limited, 164.82 acres have been handed over to Kerala Rubber Limited. A 300-acre factory and related facilities are operating. The remaining 227.18 acres are being considered for AIIMS.

Other locations considered for AIIMS

• Kasaragod-Cheemeni

• Kozhikode-Balussery

• Thrissur-Chalakkudy

• Kottayam-Arpookkara

• Ernakulam-Kalamassery