Mumbai, Nov. 2 -- The Keralam government has intensified efforts to establish the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the state by identifying locations that meet criteria prescribed by the Central Government. Health Minister K Muralidharan said the government had shared details of around 10 potential sites across districts with the Union Health Minister and was examining feasibility reports from district authorities.

The state submitted its initial proposal in 2014, identifying sites in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Kozhikode districts. In 2017, land owned by the Keralam State Industrial Development Corporation at Kinaloor in Kozhikode was recommended for the project. The Union Health Ministry also sought in-principle approval from the Union Finance Ministry in October 2024.

After the state government that assumed office in 2026 reviewed the matter, it directed the Health Department to identify suitable locations and prepare a detailed proposal. The Union Health Minister has indicated that land adjoining the Nettukaltheri open prison in Thiruvananthapuram district could be the most suitable location.

District collectors in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Kasaragod, Thrissur and Alappuzha were asked to identify sites and submit feasibility reports. The locations must include at least 200 acres of contiguous, dispute-free land, with links to national highways, railway stations and airports, as well as access to drinking water and electricity.

Assessments have identified 487.31 acres owned by KPPL in Velloor village, Kottayam, and 274.69 acres held by the Plantation Corporation in the Periya-Panayal area of Kasaragod as potential sites. In Thrissur, the required land could be assembled from the Government Press, Vaiga Threads and Koratty Government Hospital in Chalakudy taluk. A report on Pallippuram in Alappuzha is pending, while no proposal has been received for the 630-acre Manakkal paddy field at Purakkad. Reports from Kasaragod, Thrissur and Kottayam are under the Chief Minister's consideration.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.