Srinagar, November 5: Union Health Minister J P Nadda is scheduled to inaugurate the outpatient department block at AIIMS Awantipora today, marking a step towards opening the long-delayed institute to patients. He will also review construction work on the remaining phases of the project.
The inauguration will precede the launch of patient consultations. AIIMS Kashmir Executive Director Dr Sachidananda Mohanty said OPD services are expected to begin in December, with diagnostic facilities supporting patient care.
Sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, the institute in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has a revised estimated cost exceeding ₹2,160 crore. It is planned as a 750-bed hospital offering specialised treatment, alongside facilities for medical education and research.
Once operational, the hospital is expected to improve access to advanced care, particularly for south Kashmir residents who currently travel to Srinagar for specialised treatment.
Work across the campus remains incomplete. The institute comprises 57 buildings, with academic, residential and hospital infrastructure being developed in stages. Phase-II works are targeted for completion by November-end, while major Phase-III components are scheduled for June 2027.
The district administration has called for completed facilities to open in phases, with laboratory and diagnostic services available alongside outpatient consultations
