Work is in full swing at AIIMS site, says AIADMK MLA and adds that the new govt led by Edappadi will inaugurate it with PM Modi

Giving a strong message to those persons who waved a brick and indulged in cheap politics, Thiruparankundram AIADMK MLA and senior leader V. V. Rajan Chellappa said that the construction work at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) site was progressing at a brisk pace here on Friday.

Speaking to media persons after inspecting the sprawling 200 plus acre site at Thoppur, which falls in Thiruparankundram Assembly Constituency, he said that so far, a little over 40 per cent of civil work has been completed. “Over 2,600 workmen are engaged in multiple activities. The site engineers and officials are monitoring the works closely. The work is going on at a rapid pace and round the clock,” he said.

He said that the officials led by AIIMS (Madurai) Director Hanumantha Rao briefed him about the progress. The AIIMS (Madurai) Medical College, which has been functioning at a temporary space in Ramanathapuram district’s government medical college, would soon be moved here at Thoppur in phases. The final year MBBS students would be shifted here in about two months as the hostel and dining areas were almost complete.

During the AIADMK regime, in 2019 January, when Edappadi K. Palaniswami was the Chief Minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone. Admitting that there were delays due to multiple reasons, Mr Chellappa however, said that in the next 20-24 months, the AIIMS would be ready for inauguration. “It will happen with Mr Palaniswami at the helm of affairs in the State,” he asserted.

Attacking the DMK and its allies for flashing a brick that the works at the AIIMS was a non-starter, he asked the MLAs and MPs from the DMK and others to inspect the site now. “It is coming up in a grand manner. It will give a big boost to the people in southern region as the AIIMS would have top professionals in every department and provide world class treatment,” he said.

The AIIMS has CSR funds with which the two panchayats – Thoppur and Vedar Puliankulam and other surrounding habitations can benefit. The officials here said that they have an allocation of ₹2 crore each for the panchayats. Mr Chellappa said that he would meet the Madurai Collector shortly and seek his support for enhancing the basic amenities in the two panchayats with the CSR funds from the AIIMS.

The AIADMK would form the government in the ensuing general election to the Legislative Assembly and restore the lost sheen in the Health and Family Welfare department in the State. “It was only when Mr Palaniswami was CM, the State got 11 medical colleges in a single year….You (media) should not forget,” he added.