Central team inspects site proposed for AIIMS

The team raised questions about an Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) underground pipeline transporting diesel, petrol and kerosene in the proposed land.

Dharitri Panda, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, inspecting the proposed site for AIIMS at Kona Pudupatti village in Tiruppankundram taluk in Madurai district. Photo: S. James

A team commissioned by the Union Health Ministry visited site identified for the proposed All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Kona Pudupatti village of Thoppur in Tirupparankundram taluk of Madurai district on Thursday.

The five-member team, led by Dharitri Panda, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, comprised J. Balachander from JIPMER, N.L. Sathish, head of the engineering section in NIMHANS, Sachin Mahendru, architect, and L. Chandrasekharan, Undersecretary, Government of India.

While inspecting the 200-acre site near the infectious diseases hospital in Thoppur for the proposed AIIMS, which is to come up on an outlay of Rs. 1,500 crore, the team was briefed of the location and feasibility.

Collector L. Subramanian said while groundwater was available at a depth of 30 feet, an additional 90 lakh litres could be provided under the Cauvery Combined Drinking Water Scheme which was more than the daily requirement of 60 lakh litres. “Tangedco is willing to open a substation here or electricity can be supplied through a local feeder through a separate transformer,” he told the team.

The team raised questions about an Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) underground pipeline transporting diesel, petrol and kerosene in the proposed land. An official from the IOC said a corridor space of 15 metres on both sides of the pipeline or four acres of land had to be kept free from construction activities at the site. “However, a crossover culvert can be built and additional cover can be given to ensure that the pipe is not damaged,” he said.

K. Arunachalam, Professor from the Civil Engineering Department of Thiagarajar College of Engineering, said the soil in the area was good and could withstand the construction of multi-storeyed buildings. A soil test has further been commissioned by the team.

Ms. Dharitri Panda said the team would send a detailed report after inspecting the five proposed sites in Tamil Nadu which had been identified by the State government for the AIIMS. “The decision will be taken by the Ministry within 15 days after the submission of the report,” she added.