New Delhi: The Government is setting up six All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS)-like institutions in the States of Bihar (Patna), Chhattisgarh (Raipur), Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal), Orissa (Bhubaneswar), Rajasthan (Jodhpur) and Uttarakhand (Rishikesh) under the first phase of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).

"Construction of residential complexes for the six AIIMS-like institutions in the first phase of PMSSY has been taken up separately and is at various stages of completion. The work for Package I, that is, construction of Medical College/Hostel complex had started in the last week of May, 2010," said Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad in a written reply to a question raised in the Lok Sabha today.

"Letter of Intents for Package-II, i.e. construction of Hospital Complex were issued to the selected contractors. These institutions are likely to become functional by December, 2012," he added.

The Government has also approved setting up of two more AIIMS-like institutions, one each in the State of Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal in the second phase of PMSSY. Location of the institutions will be finalized in consultation with the respective State Governments.