Ready to request AIIMS in north Bengal: Mamata

Kolkata, June 24 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday said the state government is "ready to request" the Centre to establish an AIIMS in north Bengal provided adequate land is available.

Her statement comes days after the central government gave the green signal for the setting up of an AIIMs in Kalyani city, 50 km from Kolkata, in Nadia district.

"We are ready to request the central government to set up an AIIMS in north Bengal, but required land must be available," she said in north Bengal upon her arrival on an official trip.

Congress leader and former union minister Deepa Das Munshi had wanted the institute to be located at Raiganj, her constituency in northern Bengal's North Dinjapur district, whereas the Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress had pitched for Kalyani.