Chennai, February 5: Sources from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the long-awaited first phase of the AIIMS campus in Thoppur, Madurai, on February 28. This marks a significant step for one of the state’s most discussed healthcare projects.
Announced before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the establishment has faced repeated delays due to land acquisition and funding issues, becoming a point of ongoing political contention between the central and state governments.
According to M. Hanumanth Rao, Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Madurai, the Prime Minister has given his consent to initiate operational phases during his proposed visit.
Officials noted that the campus is nearly ready, with partial services expected to commence by March after years of slow progress.
As part of the first phase, students currently studying at a temporary AIIMS facility in Ramanathapuram will be shifted to the permanent Madurai campus. Academic activities are set to begin in the 2026-27 academic year.
Additionally, select hospital blocks and basic medical services will be opened to the public, allowing the institution to start functioning in a limited but meaningful capacity.
This inauguration holds significant political importance ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. The AIIMS project has frequently been part of electoral debates in Tamil Nadu, with the ruling DMK accusing the center of announcing the major institution without ensuring timely implementation.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin recently criticized the prolonged delays, reiterating that the state deserves the swift establishment of such crucial healthcare infrastructure.
Party sources indicate that Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Madurai will also include the inauguration of other completed development projects and participation in a public meeting with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies in the state.
BJP leaders believe that the inauguration of AIIMS just months before the elections could provide a significant political advantage for the NDA, showcasing the center’s commitment to strengthening healthcare and development in the region.
While the Prime Minister’s detailed schedule is yet to be finalized, it is expected that the Madurai event will attract considerable public and political attention across the state.