Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, today said that civil works on the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) project in Samba shall commence in the month of February 2020.The Union Minister informed this on a visit to the site identified for the establishment of AIIMS at Vijaypur in Samba district. The project at Vijaynagar shall be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,661 crore.Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo; Deputy Commissioner, Samba, Rohit Khajuria; Director (Coordination), New Medical Colleges Jammu, Yashpal Sharma; Joint Director (Planning) H&ME, Madan Lal and other concerned accompanied the Union Minister.During the visit, Choubey took stock of present status of works and said that the civil works on the prestigious project would be taken up in the month of February.He further impressed upon the officers to work in close coordination so that the process of construction of the premier health institute is carried out in a smooth and expeditious manner.The Union Minister also directed the DC Samba to make additional land available for the AIIMS project, if needed.
On the occasion, the Union Minister was informed that the tendering process has been finalized and a meeting will be held soon for the allotment of tenders. Central Public Works Department and executing agency for the AIIMS project in Jammu, assured that the steps are afoot so that the works are carried out in a smooth manner.Later, the Union Minister addressed a massive gathering at panchayat Harsath in block Ghagwal here.On the occasion, Choubey said that Government of India has launched host of schemes to uplift the disadvantaged sections of the society and enable them to live a sustainable and dignified life.He said schemes like PMAY, PMGSY, Ayushman Bharat, Jan Ashudhi, Jan Arogya, Ujwala and other such schemes have enabled citizens welfare to a large extent.On the occasion, the Union Minister inaugurated Jal Jeevan Mission, improvement and augmentation of WSS Harsath-Ghagwal. He said that Samba District has been selected in Phase I category and all the houses shall have piped-water connections by 2020 under Jal Jeeven Mission.Listening to the local issues raised by the Chairman BDCs and Sarpanches which included development of Nar Singh Ji Dev Mandir as prominent pilgrimage station, establishment of operation theatre at Trauma Centre Hospital Ghagwal, providing PHCs in each Panchayats, besides opening new avenues of employments, the Union Minister reiterated the commitment of government to ensure holistic development of Jammu and Kashmir.