Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the initial phase of the AIIMS campus in Thoppur, Madurai, on February 28. This event marks a significant development for the long-awaited healthcare project in Tamil Nadu. The AIIMS project, announced before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, has faced delays due to land acquisition and funding issues, becoming a contentious issue between the Centre and the state government.
The Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Madurai, M. Hanumantha Rao, confirmed that the Prime Minister has agreed to launch the first phase of operations during his upcoming visit. The campus is close to completion, and partial services are expected to commence by March after years of slow progress. Students currently at the temporary AIIMS facility in Ramanathapuram will be relocated to the permanent Madurai campus as part of the initial phase.
Academic activities are set to begin from the 2026–27 academic year. Additionally, certain hospital blocks and basic medical services will be made available to the public, allowing the institute to start functioning in a limited but meaningful capacity. The inauguration holds political significance ahead of the state Assembly elections, which are scheduled to take place earlier this year.
The AIIMS project has been a prominent topic in Tamil Nadu’s electoral discussions, with the ruling DMK criticizing the Centre for delays in execution. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has voiced concerns over the prolonged delays, emphasizing the need for swift implementation of crucial healthcare infrastructure in the state. The inauguration of AIIMS just before the elections is seen as a strategic move by the Bharatiya Janata Party to gain political advantage, highlighting the Centre’s dedication to enhancing healthcare and development in the region.
While the detailed schedule of the Prime Minister’s visit is yet to be finalized, the Madurai event is expected to attract significant public and political attention statewide.
