The proposed AIIMS satellite centre in Kiccha, Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand, is facing construction and administrative delays, making it increasingly likely that the project will miss its 2025 completion deadline. Conceived as a key step to improve tertiary healthcare access in the Kumaon region, the project was expected to be completed and operational by the end of 2025.

According to officials, delays in land development, infrastructure clearances, and procurement processes have slowed down progress at the site. The AIIMS Kiccha satellite centre, an extension of AIIMS Rishikesh, was announced with the objective of decongesting patient load and bringing advanced medical facilities closer to underserved districts in Uttarakhand’s plains and hill areas.

A senior health ministry official, on condition of anonymity, said, “While groundwork has begun, certain civil and administrative approvals are still in process. We are committed to expediting the project, but it may take additional time before the facility becomes fully functional.”

The Kiccha centre, spread across several acres of land, is planned to include state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities, super-specialty departments, residential quarters for faculty, and a 300-bed hospital in its initial phase. The project also aims to create new opportunities for medical education and research, complementing AIIMS Rishikesh’s expanding regional footprint.

Healthcare experts have emphasized the importance of the project for strengthening Uttarakhand’s public health infrastructure. The absence of tertiary-level care facilities in the Kumaon belt often forces patients to travel long distances to Rishikesh, Delhi, or Lucknow for advanced treatment. Once operational, the Kiccha satellite centre is expected to reduce patient migration and significantly improve healthcare accessibility for remote areas.

While the delay has raised concerns, authorities remain optimistic that with proper coordination between the central and state agencies, the project can regain momentum by 2026. The AIIMS satellite model is part of a broader national strategy to decentralize healthcare delivery, ensuring high-quality services reach even the country’s most rural regions.