AIIMS to start functioning in Jodhpur in 2-3 yrs: Azad

Union Health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad today announced that the proposed All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), whose construction is yet to begin due to repeated delays in last four years, would start functioning in Jodhpur in next two to three years.  

Earlier AIIMS was to cost Rs 350 crores, but it would take around Rs 850 crores now, Azad told Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot who raised the issue at a function here.

Tenders would be floated shortly at the national level and the bidders would be given a time-frame to complete the task, Azad said, adding it was due to his efforts that the new Assembly building in Jammu and Kashmir came up within 11 months when he was Chief Minister there.  

"If bidders construct and complete the task in the stipulated time, they would be awarded otherwise on delay they would be penalised and blacklisted," he said.

Earlier, Gehlot, who represents Jodhpur seat, reminded the Union minister about the delay and was assured that the action be taken up on the work on war footing.