The construction of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Awantipora in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir is once again facing significant delays, with multiple deadlines having passed since its announcement in 2019. Despite a stated target for the commencement of Outpatient Department (OPD) services in March-April and full operations by the end of the current year, the project’s completion remains uncertain.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the institute, envisioned under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), aimed to bring world-class tertiary and super-specialty healthcare closer to the residents of Kashmir. However, the project has been plagued by a series of logistical challenges, unforeseen security concerns, and, according to some, fundamental errors in site selection. AIIMS projects are centrally funded and centrally managed initiatives, with the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) serving as the executing agency for the Awantipora facility. The civil construction is being undertaken by NCC Limited.
Project Progress Stalled Amidst Hurdles
AIIMS Awantipora has consistently missed its projected timelines, with progress reportedly stagnating at approximately 70 percent completion, a figure that has remained unchanged for over a year. The project has experienced substantial cost overruns, exacerbated by issues such as security-related objections that necessitated revisions to the initial master plan during the early stages of site preparation. Further delays were incurred due to the acquisition of additional land and accessibility problems stemming from the lack of a proper motorable road to the hilltop site. While a macadamised road has since been constructed, connecting the site to the main road, earlier logistical impediments contributed to the missed deadlines.
Administrative disruptions, coupled with slowdowns attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic and adverse weather conditions, have also impacted construction activities and the availability of labour. Some experts in the field suggest that site-specific logistical constraints have been a significant factor in the project’s ongoing delays.
Official Assurances and Ground Realities
In January of this year, the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Atal Dulloo, attributed the delays primarily to “execution snags” and reiterated that the project would be completed by the end of 2026. Despite these assurances, there have been no visible indications of substantial progress towards meeting the upcoming deadline for the commencement of MBBS admissions or the initiation of OPD services, which were anticipated in July and April respectively.
The geographical isolation of Kashmir, compounded by the Pir Panjal mountain range and harsh winter conditions, underscores the critical need for a functional AIIMS. The absence of advanced super-specialty healthcare facilities in the region forces patients to seek treatment at overburdened institutions like the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar or the Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS). This often leads to prolonged waiting periods for critical procedures, including those related to cardiac emergencies, neurological disorders, oncology, and neurosurgery. For residents in remote areas, the long distances to Srinagar, especially during winter when roads become inaccessible, amplify the hardship and the need for timely medical intervention.
Equitable Healthcare Access Remains a Challenge
A senior specialist in Jammu and Kashmir’s Medical Education department noted that while AIIMS Jammu has begun to decentralise super-specialty care and advanced medical education, a similar promise for Kashmir remains largely unfulfilled. The imperative to meet the 2026 deadline for AIIMS Awantipora is viewed as crucial for ensuring equitable and timely access to advanced medical treatment for the population of the Kashmir Valley.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
