Three AIIMS for Maharashtra, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh approved

New Delhi: The union cabinet on Wednesday approved the setting up of three new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in as many states.

The new AIIMS would be set up at Nagpur in Maharashtra, Manglagiri in Andhra Pradesh and Kalyani in West Bengal under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), which involves financial implications of Rs.4,949 crore.

The cabinet meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The proposed institutions shall have hospitals with a capacity of 960 beds. In addition, there shall be teaching, administrative and AYUSH blocks, auditoriums, nursing colleges, night shelters, hostels and residential facilities," said an official statement.

While the new AIIMS at Manglagiri will cost Rs. 1,618 crore, that at Nagpur will cost Rs.1,577 crore and at Kalyani Rs. 1,754 crore.

The three new AIIMS would address regional imbalances in the availability of affordable and reliable tertiary health care services in these regions.

"These will augment quality medical education and also address shortfall of health care professionals in these regions. Large populations of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra (Vidarbha) and West Bengal along with people in adjoining states will benefit from the projects," said the statement.