AIIMS for Kerala in Kottayam? Velloor could be a possibility, says MLA

Vaikom: The proposed All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kerala could come up at Velloor in Vaikom, according to MLA K. Binimon. Velloor in Vaikom and Koratty in Thrissur district are among the locations in the final list submitted by the state government to the Centre. According to information received from the office of Health Minister K. Muralidharan, the AIIMS is likely to be established on land owned by Kerala Paper Products Limited (KPPL) at Velloor, MLA K. Binimon said.

In July, K. Muralidharan had instructed the Principal Secretary to submit a detailed proposal for AIIMS. The Principal Secretary had visited Velloor. Subsequently, when nine proposals were included in the list, three of them were for Velloor. Even when the final list of four locations was prepared, Velloor was given priority.

•Of the 692 acres owned by KPPL at Velloor, 227.18 acres can be made available free of cost for the AIIMS.

• The site has enough space to establish the AIIMS without evicting anyone. The AIIMS requires around 200 acres.

• The land-use proposal for Velloor submitted by Minister Anoop Jacob, MLA K. Binimon and the Peruva Janakeeya Prathikarana Vedi was considered.

• Velloor's location in central Kerala is another factor in its favour.