J&K: AIIMS Awantipore Hits Major Roadblock As Army Says 'Construction Compromises Security Of Military Garrison'

AIIMS in Kashmir is being constructed in the Awantipora area of South Kashmir, in the Pulwama district. 

Awantipora: The construction of the ambitious and much-hyped All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Kashmir has hit a major roadblock after the army "red-flagged" the construction. The Army says that the buildings of the institute will compromise the military garrison as the building touches the common boundary wall of the garrison.

The army opposition came up during a review meeting chaired by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir PK Pole. 

According to the minutes of the meeting, the stakeholders besides the senior administrative officials,  Brig Arun Yadav (LMA) representing GoC Victor Force Awnatipore, Col DS Oberai, Adm Commandant Victor Force Awantipore were present.

AIIMS in Kashmir is being constructed in the Awantipora area of South Kashmir, in the Pulwama district. 

During the meeting, Brig Arun Yadav said that the proposed AIIMS campus hugs the military garrison and has a common boundary wall of 1.7 km and the NoC guidelines issued by the Ministry of Defence dated May 18-2011 stipulate that "no construction within 100 meters and no buildings above the four stories within 500 meters from the periphery of the military garrison".

“There are ten multi-story buildings (10 to 38 meters high) which directly overlook the sensitive installation of contagious military garrisons,” the minutes of the meeting read.

In the meeting, the army reiterated that no information with respect to AIIMS construction and insurance of NOC with Victor Force was given by CPWD/Civil administration till January 15, 2021 despite various communications and meetings held with them.

Yadav further stated that "defence authorities are required to take up the case with the GoI to issue NoC for any construction violating work of Defence Act. The issue of AIIMS campus has accordingly been referred through higher headquarters". 

However, during the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner of Pulwama refuted the army's claim saying that “land occupied by the Victor Force has not been properly demarcated as is evident from the Revenue records and vital building of the project falls within 100 to 500 meters.”

The DC further stated that a land acquisition process of additional 272 canals near the AIIMS project has also been initiated.

After the army's query, the Divisional Commissioner has now called for a joint survey of CPWD/Victor Chief Engineer, Force and Revenue Authorities in a week's time to explore the possibilities of construction.

The final decision on the construction will be held within eight to ten days from May 25.

Construction of AIIMS, one each in Kashmir and Jammu divisions was part of the PM's ambitious reconstruction package for the erstwhile J&K state and was much-hyped post abrogation of article 370 and downgrading of the status to Union territory.

While the project in Jammu is nearing completion and the second batch of MBBS students have been admitted, the Kashmir project is yet to see the light of Day.