Since the Union government had given its nod for setting up AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) in Tamil Nadu two years ago, the State government should not delay any further and implement the ambitious project immediately.
As the study team from the Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare was convinced with Thoppur in Madurai district as it had all the basic requirements, the government should take it up forthwith.
An appeal to this effect was made by Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
A top class hospital such as the AIIMS in Madurai would be a boon to the citizens in the south Tamil Nadu which comprised nine districts from Theni to Kanyakumari. With Madurai being the gateway to southern districts, such an institution would fill the gap as only southern Tamil Nadu lagged behind since northern and western parts of Tamil Nadu had state-of-the-art institutions.
When the hospital is established in Madurai, people travelling from Kanyakumari to Chennai or Coimbatore can be stopped and use this facility.
After the district administration had identified lands near Thoppur, which had the proximity to both the NHAI and the Madurai airport was the ideal location. About 15 months ago, an official in the rank of joint secretary from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had inspected the proposed site and recommended appropriately to the Centre.
The Centre had announced setting up of AIIMS in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir where the construction works had started.
According to Chamber senior president S. Rethinavelu, as per the AIIMS Act, the Centre would provide the entire funds for building and raising infrastructure among others.
This would be to the tune of Rs.1000 crore. After the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the State had identified five locations - namely Chengalpattu in Kancheepuram district, Perunthurai in Erode district, Pudukottai in Pudukottai district, Sengipatti in Thanjavur district and Thoppur in Madurai district, the joint secretary from the Centre had conducted a study. Now, the responsibility to take to the next stage lied with the State, he noted.
