THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences in the state is most likely to come up on 80-plus acres owned by Travancore Rayons Ltd in Perumbavoor. Highly placed government sources told DC that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is keen on this location than the other three identified by the previous UDF government which includes Kinalur in Kozhikode, HMT land in Ernakulam, Kottayam Medical College campus and Nettuklatheri near Neyyar Dam in Thiruvananthapuram.
Union health minister J. P. Nadda had informed Mr Vijayan that the central team would identify the location. But that promise remains unfulfilled even after four months of the CM’s meeting in New Delhi immediately after assuming office. Health minister K.K. Shylaja’s office told DC that they were still awaiting the central team to arrive. Government sources told DC that the TRL which was the first factory in Asia to produce biodegradable cellulose-based viscose filament yarn and the cellulose film was wound up during 2001.
Located at Vallom, four km from Perumbavoor town, it has now evolved into a jungle much to the chagrin of the local people. Sources said they are keen to see the area developed into an IT park or a tourist destination. “About six or seven years ago, the then government had taken five acres of land which was given to KSEB to set up an 110 KV substation. The remaining area has been lying idle since then which has prompted the LDF government to revive the area for AIMS. But it all depends on the nod from the central team,” said a government official. But at the same time, the Union government had at first informed the previous UDF government that they need to identify 200 acres of suitable land.
