Kasaragod Collector Arjun Pandian has submitted a comprehensive proposal to the State government recommending 274.69 acres of Plantation Corporation of Kerala (PCK) land at Periye at the most suitable site for establishing the proposed All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Kasaragod district.

The report was submitted to the Secretary of the Health department after the site was inspected following a request from Rajmohan Unnithan, MP. The proposal was prepared within 10 days in accordance with the government’s instructions and includes a digital survey sketch, drone footage and photographs of the proposed site.

According to the Collector, the land at Periye meets all the criteria prescribed by the Union government for an institution comprising an AIIMS-level super-specialty hospital and medical college.

“The Central requirements include a minimum of 200 acres of land at a suitable location, road connectivity, adequate availability of water and electricity and necessary land and infrastructure facilities. The proposed site comprises 274.69 acres of contiguous government-owned PCK land in Pullur-Periye panchayat,” he said.

The Collector said the area had strong road, rail and air connectivity. The site is close to National Highway 66 and has good local and interstate transport facilities. Kanhangad and Kasaragod railway stations are nearby, while Mangaluru and Kannur international airports provide air connectivity, he said. Munnamkadavu could serve as the main source of water for the proposed institution and uninterrupted electricity supply could be ensured through the Mayilatti power station and the Mavungal substation.

The proposed AIIMS is expected to have particular significance for victims of exposure to pesticide endosulfan in Kasaragod. It could serve as an apex centre for super-specialty treatment, rehabilitation, neurology, environmental medicine and long-term follow-up of endosulfan victims in the district.

Air ambulance

The Collector said the institution could also strengthen medical education, public health, and life science research through collaboration with the nearby Central University of Kerala, ICAR, CPCRI, and HAL. The helipad and the Central University could additionally support emergency air ambulance services.

Mr. Pandian observed that the government can make the land available through the Revenue department, subject to applicable regulations, following a model similar to the earlier transfer of PCK land for the Central University of Kerala. The proposal also addresses the welfare of the 28 daily wage workers currently employed at the PCK site, by rehabilitating them by providing employment in areas such as security, cleaning, and maintenance at the institution.

Job opportunities

The project is also expected to generate a large number of new employment opportunities in the region. The Collector highlighted the proposed institution’s wider regional importance, noting that Periya could emerge as a major tertiary healthcare gateway for people in northern Kerala as well as the adjoining border area of Karnataka, particularly Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts.

Published - August 19, 2026 08:05 pm IST