GUWAHATI, April 19 - The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Kolkata, today modified its earlier order on the setting up of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Changsari, thereby allowing the Assam Government to continue with the construction works till the final outcome of the case.
The NGT, in response to a petition filed against the setting up of the AIIMS at Changsari by a group of residents of Nagaon last year under the banner of the AIIMS Demand Committee, Raha, had ordered against any construction activities in its earlier order.
The Court, while modifying its order today, ruled that the Government may continue with its construction works subject to the final outcome of the case. The final hearing of the case has been fixed on May 24. The construction works were halted by the Tribunal after it was challenged that the site chosen for the AIIMS was located in an eco-sensitive zone.
Assistant Solicitor General of India SC Keyal, who appeared for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, submitted before the Tribunal that the site was allotted for the AIIMS after considering all relevant aspects.
Advocate General of Assam (acting) Devajit Saikia appeared on behalf of the State Government.
Meanwhile, sources said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to lay the foundation stone of the AIIMS some time in May.
