AIIMS Awantipora’s construction compromises security of military garrison: Army

SRINAGAR — The construction of the much ambitious All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) Thursday hit a major roadblock after Indian Army stated that the construction of the institute building compromises the military garrison and the boundary wall of the building touches the common boundary wall of garrison.

The Army stated this in a review meeting chaired by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole.

According to the minutes of the meeting, the Pole chaired a meeting of stakeholders in his office chamber in which Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Chief Engineer CPWD Kashmir (through video conferencing), Additional Deputy Commissioner Awantipora, Brig Arun Yadav (LMA) representing GoC Victor Force Awantipora, Col DS Oberai, Adm Commandant Victor Force Awantipora, Ex Engineer (AIMS Project) Srinagar and Additional General Manager NBCC Srinagar participated.

“Divisional Commissioner Kashmir was informed in the meeting by the Brig Arun Yadav that the proposed AIIMS campus hugs the military garrison and has a common boundary wall of 1.7 kilometers. NoC guidelines issued by the Ministry of Defence GoI dated May 18, 2011 stipulate that no construction within 100 meters and no buildings above the four storeys within 500 meters from the periphery of the military garrison,” the minutes of the meeting read.

“There are 10 multi-storey buildings (10 to 38 meters height) which directly overlook the sensitive installation of contagious military garrison,” he said.

In the meeting, the Army reiterated that no information with respect of AIIMS construction and insurance of NOC with Victor Force was given by CPWD/civil administration till January 15, 2021 despite various communications and meetings held with them.

“Brig Yadav further stated that Defence authorities require to take up the case with the GoI to issue NoC for any construction violating work of Defence Act. The issue of AIIMS campus has accordingly been referred through higher headquarters,” the minutes of the meeting read.

Present on the occasion, DC Pulwama stated that “land occupied by the Victor Force has not been properly demarcated as is evident from the Revenue records. More than 1.7 kilometers of military garrison and AIIMS Awantipora being shared with each other and vital building of the project falls within 100 to 500 meters.”

The DC, as per minutes of the meeting, further stated that a land acquisition process of additional 272 Kanals near the AIIMS project has also been initiated.

After threadbare discussion, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir passed a series of directions that read since most of the land on the project is hilly, the Chief Engineer, CPWD and Additional Deputy Commissioner, Awantipora shall conduct a joint survey to access the quantity of land available near the project having less than 30 degree slope.

“The Divisional Commissioner also called for joint survey of CPWD / Victor Force Chief Engineer and Revenue authorities shall be conducted in a week’s time to explore the possibilities for construction of Awantipora / vital buildings of the project,” the minutes of the meeting state, adding that another meeting on the project will be held within eight to 10 days from May 25.