Kerala HC Seeks Clarification on AIIMS Site Selection in Kozhikode
Kochi: The Kerala High Court has directed the State government to file an affidavit confirming whether it adhered to the Central government’s guidelines while selecting Kinaloor in Kozhikode district as the site for the proposed All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice S. Manu issued the directive on Tuesday while hearing a writ petition filed by AIIMS Kasaragod Janakeeya Koottayma. The petitioner has sought the establishment of the institute in Kasaragod instead.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Kerala government finalized land at Kinaloor in Kozhikode district as the proposed AIIMS site without consulting or receiving approval from the Union government. The land is owned by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) and AIIMS Kasaragod Janakeeya Koottayma pointed out that it is important to seek the approval of the central government before finalizing the land.
The group also approached the Kerala High Court highlighting the flaws in the process. The group argued that Kasaragod is the most suitable, feasible, and essential location for AIIMS, emphasizing the region's urgent need for advanced medical infrastructure.
According to the petition, the State government had already decided in July 2024 to earmark land owned by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) in Kinaloor for the AIIMS project. However, the petitioner argued that this decision did not follow the procedure mandated by the Centre, reports The Hindu.
The court emphasized that the selection of a site for such an institution should align with the Union government’s guidelines, as any deviation could lead to rejection or reconsideration. It further noted that site selection involves multiple criteria to ensure maximum benefit to the community.
At present, the Union government has not made a final decision regarding the AIIMS location in Kerala. The State government, however, proceeded with selecting Kinaloor in anticipation of the Centre’s approval, the court observed. The case is expected to shed light on whether due process was followed in the selection and could impact the final decision on the establishment of AIIMS in the State.
