In a significant boost to India's public healthcare infrastructure, three long-stalled All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) projects have been rapidly accelerated towards completion. The projects located in Bibinagar (Telangana), Guwahati (Assam), and Jammu owe their renewed momentum to direct, high-level intervention through the central government's PRAGATI platform.
PRAGATI: The Digital Catalyst for Development
The Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) platform has been the game-changer. This digital monitoring system integrates Union ministries, state governments, and local authorities on a single dashboard. It identifies bottlenecks in real-time and sets strict deadlines, with reviews often led directly by the Prime Minister. Officials confirm that this mechanism has been pivotal in moving these critical healthcare projects from a state of delay to active delivery.
AIIMS Bibinagar: Unlocking Logistical Hurdles
The AIIMS project in Bibinagar, Telangana, saw a decisive turnaround following a PRAGATI review in June 2023. The session addressed protracted issues concerning guaranteed water supply and permanent high-tension power connections. Through coordinated efforts between the Centre and the state, these obstacles were finally resolved by May 2025.
This breakthrough has propelled the physical progress of the institute to nearly 86%, setting a clear path for its inauguration by June 2026. Once operational, AIIMS Bibinagar is poised to become a major centre for tertiary care, medical education, and job creation in the region.
AIIMS Guwahati: Northeast's First AIIMS Now Operational
In the Northeast, AIIMS Guwahati – the region's premier AIIMS – was successfully completed in 2023 after PRAGATI interventions. The platform helped untangle delays related to land development, electricity, stormwater management, and water supply.
The 750-bed hospital is now fully functional, offering 25 specialty and 11 super-specialty services. A standout feature is that nearly 60% of its patients receive free treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. This has substantially lowered out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for countless vulnerable families in the region.
AIIMS Jammu: Overcoming Last-Mile Challenges
A similar last-mile push was crucial for AIIMS Jammu. Despite construction being nearly complete, final commissioning was threatened by lingering issues. These included the relocation of a cremation ground and pending utility connections.
When these hurdles were taken up through PRAGATI in mid-2023, the Union Territory administration initiated time-bound action. The persistent monitoring paid off, and the institute was officially commissioned in November 2024. It now serves patients from across Jammu & Kashmir and neighbouring areas.
A Model for Viksit Bharat's Healthcare Vision
At the 50th PRAGATI meeting on December 31, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that Viksit Bharat@2047 is a time-bound national resolve. He described PRAGATI as a key accelerator that breaks bureaucratic silos and enforces accountability across all levels of administration – from the Centre to districts.
These three AIIMS projects exemplify how PRAGATI converts complex, multi-agency healthcare infrastructure from stalled blueprints into operational hospitals. Beyond merely adding bed capacity, these institutes are strengthening the pillars of medical education, research, and regional employment. They are easing the immense pressure on existing medical centres and, most importantly, bringing quality advanced healthcare closer to people's doorsteps, far beyond the major metropolitan cities.
