AIIMS for Kerala before my tenure ends; clarity already given on SilverLine: Suresh Gopi

Kochi: Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Tuesday assured that the long-standing demand for the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kerala would be fulfilled before the end of his tenure.

Addressing a press conference, Gopi declared, "Before my tenure is over, the AIIMS project (for the state) will be announced in a suitable location. I will go to voters during the next election only at least after laying its foundation."

The minister affirmed that he would seek public support in the next election only after the foundation stone for AIIMS is laid. He said the project would be set up in a suitable location and stressed that the Centre was ready to proceed once viable land options were submitted.

Criticising the state government for the delay in getting the project sanctioned by the Centre, Gopi questioned Kerala's insistence on a single site. He said, "Three location options should be submitted to the Centre for the granting of the AIIMS project," and urged reporters to investigate the reason behind the state government’s rigid stance.

During the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, BJP state chief and Thiruvananthapuram NDA candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar had also promised to bring AIIMS to the constituency if elected.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier urged the Centre to sanction the institute without delay, stating that the state government had identified land in Kozhikode and AIIMS should be set up there promptly.

Concerns over ship accidents off Kerala coast

Gopi also expressed concern over recent ship accidents off the Kerala coast. Referring to the state's decision not to file a case in the first incident and instead settle with compensation, he questioned, "Was that decision made because the Centre advised so?"

He emphasised the need to address maritime safety and assured that issues affecting fishermen and coastal communities would be taken up in consultation with the state. “The Centre will certainly investigate the security issues raised, and if the state seeks further intervention, the Centre is ready to examine those matters too,” he added.

‘Tharoor’s stand on Operation Sindoor responsible’

Commenting on Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's reaction to Operation Sindoor, Gopi remarked that Tharoor had responded like a responsible Indian citizen.

"There is nothing wrong in portraying the achievements of the Central Government as the achievements of Narendra Modi," the minister added.

Centre awaits report clearance on SilverLine alternative

Addressing the ongoing K-Rail (SilverLine) debate, Gopi said the Centre had already clarified its stance. He noted that a report on an alternative high-speed rail project submitted by Metroman E Sreedharan was currently with the Railway Minister and awaiting clearance.