AIIMS team to visit in Jan

Mangalagiri (Guntur): Arrangements for the establishment of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Mangalagiri is taking a concrete shape with the finalising of the visit of AIIMS (New Delhi) team in January. An extent of 190 acres belonging to TB Sanatorium had already been recommended by the district administration and proposals to that effect were sent five months ago to the State government.

The picturesque location between two hills was seen as the ideal place for the location of the prestigious institute. The State government, too, in turn recommended the place and sent a report to Delhi. The team’s visit, which should have taken place two months ago, has actually been delayed due to technical reasons.

The visit of AIIMS team was also confirmed by Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas. Recently he said that once the team visits the site and expresses satisfaction, funds would be allocated for construction of the buildings.

The road leading to the Sanatorium will be widened to 100 feet and proposals were already made by the district administration. The grand trunk road from Mangalagiri will be widened and linked to the Vijayawada national highway.

The AIIMS authorities had asked for 200 acres of land for the setting up of the institute. As of now 190 acres were made available for it. Another 10 acres of land will also be provided for the purpose from the nearby forest lands, if necessary.

The district authorities have prepared an action plan for infrastructure creation including drinking water and drainage facilities. Besides AIIMS, some more central institutes are to be established in the region.

The organisations that will be set up in the capital region include National Disaster Management Battalion and National Institute of Design for which land has been allocated.

By: Ravi P Benjamin