“Mehbooba Mufti’s visit to AIIMS Awantipora rightfully spotlights major construction delays, but a fair critique must acknowledge that the PDP-led government’s own past decisions contributed to these setbacks.”
The recent visit by PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to AIIMS Awantipora has once again brought the spotlight on the delayed completion of one of Kashmir’s most important healthcare infrastructure projects. Seeking explanations from the Centre and executing agencies about the prolonged construction timeline is a legitimate political exercise. However, any honest discussion on the delays must begin with a recognition of the circumstances that contributed to them, including decisions taken during the PDP-led government itself. The demand for accountability should not be selective. AIIMS Awantipora and AIIMS Jammu were both announced under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) for Jammu and Kashmir. Yet while AIIMS Jammu has become operational, AIIMS Awantipora continues to remain under construction years after its foundation stone was laid. The obvious question is why. The answer lies not in a single failure but in a series of challenges that unfolded after the project site was chosen. Among the most significant was the location itself. The Awantipora site required multiple clearances, permissions and consultations involving key agencies of the Central Government. Security concerns raised by the Army necessitated detailed examinations and modifications. The project’s Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) underwent revisions, resulting in changes to planning and execution schedules. These were not routine procedural hurdles. They had a direct impact on timelines and costs. Large public infrastructure projects, particularly those involving healthcare institutions of national importance, cannot proceed without obtaining statutory approvals and addressing security concerns. The process may be frustratingly slow, but it is unavoidable. This is where political accountability becomes important. Had the project been located on a site free from major security objections and extensive clearance requirements, construction could have progressed much faster. It is therefore difficult to separate today’s delays entirely from yesterday’s decisions. Those who selected the site must also explain why a location requiring such complex approvals was considered the most suitable option. That does not absolve the Union Government or implementing agencies of responsibility. Once challenges became apparent, there was an obligation to resolve them with urgency. Delays in approvals, administrative bottlenecks and coordination failures have undoubtedly contributed to the prolonged timeline. The people of south Kashmir have waited far too long for a premier healthcare institution that was promised as a transformative project for the region. The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated matters. Construction activity across the country slowed dramatically during the lockdown period. Labour shortages, disruptions in supply chains and restrictions on movement affected infrastructure projects nationwide. In Kashmir, harsh winter conditions added another layer of difficulty, limiting the working season and affecting construction schedules.
“The opening of AIIMS Awantipora has faced extensive delays due to challenges like site selection, sparking political debate and blame-shifting. Real accountability requires looking at the facts rather than rhetoric, with executing authorities explaining the unfinished progress. Ultimately, success should be measured by how quickly the hospital opens to serve the people of Kashmir, not by who wins the political argument.”
Yet none of these factors can fully explain why the gap between AIIMS Jammu and AIIMS Awantipora became so pronounced. The contrast has inevitably fuelled public frustration and political criticism. Residents are less interested in bureaucratic explanations than in seeing hospital wards, classrooms and medical facilities become operational. The debate, therefore, should not be reduced to a contest of accusations between the Centre and regional political parties. Such exchanges may generate headlines, but they do little to advance the project. The larger objective must be to ensure that AIIMS Awantipora is completed and made functional at the earliest possible date. What Kashmir needs today is transparency. The public deserves a clear status report outlining completed works, pending tasks, remaining challenges and realistic timelines for commissioning. Periodic progress updates would help build confidence and prevent speculation. Equally important is ensuring that the institution begins providing healthcare services as soon as possible, even if certain components are completed in phases. AIIMS Awantipora is far more than a construction project. It represents a critical investment in healthcare, medical education and regional development. Once operational, it will reduce dependence on hospitals outside the Valley, create opportunities for medical professionals and improve access to specialised treatment for thousands of patients. Political leaders reserve the right to seek answers, but accountability must begin with facts rather than rhetoric. Those questioning the delay must also acknowledge the role of site selection and the challenges that followed. Likewise, the authorities responsible for execution must explain why the project has still not crossed the finish line. The people of Kashmir deserve less blame-shifting and more delivery. After years of delays, the real measure of success will not be who wins the political argument, but how quickly AIIMS Awantipora opens its doors to the public.
