State in high hope for AIIMS; starts acquiring land in Kozhikode

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government in high hopes of the center allowing AIIMS to open up in Kerala has started acquiring lands. The move will be a bonus for the government to gloat before the impending 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In Kozhikode Kinalur, apart from the 155-acre land acquired which comes under the labor ministry, an additional 99 acres has also been taken which is a concoction of private properties. A wall has also been planned and a detailed blueprint has been passed to the central government.

The central government meanwhile allowed an expert panel to study the Kinalur land-acquired procedures. The state government has also assigned the district collector to prepare a detailed report about the geographic constraints of the place.

In 2014, the central government promised AIIMS for Kerala on the condition that the government comes successful in finding a perfect spot that has abundant reserves of water and is travel friendly. The Kerala MPs elected were embroiled in a war of words over bringing the project to their constituency before which the central government dropped the plans. It is after repeated talks between the chief minister and the prime minister that such a project is finally turning fruition. If AIIMS comes to Kerala, it will assure free treatment for many and will also open a brain bank in the state. The hospital will house the meisters in the medicinal field. The total cost of the project is RS 2000 crore.

Apart from Kerala, many other neighboring states including Tamil Nadu and Telangana were allowed AIIMS in recent years.