Joint agitation by public to bring back AIIMS facility to Madurai

The protest was organised by the Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association (MADITSSIA) at Palanaganatham. Members belonging to over 50 apolitical and political outfits participated in the agitation. 

The fast was inaugurated by Ponraj, Scientific Advisor to former President Abdul Kalam. Annadurai, former MLA, said that it was initially announced that the AIIMS hospital would be set up in Madurai, but now the Central government has declared that the facility has been shifted to Thanjavur.

When the central government committee after inspecting different areas in Madurai identify a 360-acre site in Thoppur. The area required for the AIIMS hospital was just 200 acres. Despite the fact that the land identification process was completed, the government in a surprise and shocking move has declared that the facility has been shifted to Thanjavur, pointed out Annadurai. 

He further pointed out that if the hospital was set up in Madurai, it would benefit people of around 18 districts in the southern and western region of the state. Even people of Thanjavur could reach the hospital in three hours. Whereas if the hospital was established in Thanjavur, residents of Kanniyakumari would have to spend more than seven hours to reach the hospital which was the travel duration between Madurai and Chennai, said Annadurai.

Former MLA, Nanmaran, said the idea of setting up AIIMS hospital at Madurai was mooted during the tenure of former MP, Mohan, and later it was discussed with him during his tenure as MLA. He too had supported the move to set up the facility in Madurai.

“While there was no demand from the people of Thanjavur for the hospital in their district, what prompted the Central government to shift the location to that district,” questioned Nanmaran. 

Srinivasan, BJP functionary, who unsuccessfully contested in the Tiruparankundram by-election, claimed that though the scheme was announced by the central government it was the responsibility of the state government to acquire land for the facility. He was of the view that it was solely because of the state government’s suggestions that the AIIMS hospital was shifted to Thanjhavur. Hence it must take immediate steps to bring it back to Madurai. 

BJP District Secretary, Sasiraman, also participated in the fast protest.