Lokesh lays foundation stone for AIG Hospitals’ ₹2,000-crore project in Visakhapatnam

IT Minister Nara Lokesh, AIG Hospitals Chairman D. Nageshwar Reddy, Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat and others at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for AIG Hospitals’ 1,000-bed greenfield hospital and healthcare ecosystem project at Yendada in Visakhapatnam on Monday. IT Minister Nara Lokesh, along with AIG Hospitals Chairman D. Nageshwar Reddy, on Monday laid the foundation stone for AIG Hospitals’ 1,000-bed greenfield hospital and healthcare ecosystem project at Yendada in Visakhapatnam.AIG Hospitals will invest ₹2,000 crore over the next five years and is expected to create employment for around 9,000 people when the facility becomes fully operational.Mr. Lokesh said the project would provide world-class healthcare and strengthen Visakhapatnam as a major healthcare destination, while creating opportunities for doctors, nurses, paramedics and other healthcare professionals.“The ₹2,000 crore AIG Hospitals project is a major investment in Visakhapatnam’s healthcare sector and will create around 9,000 jobs,” he said, adding that the State government was giving emphasis to the education and healthcare sectors.Describing AIG Hospitals as a “Centre of Excellence”, Mr. Lokesh also highlighted its efforts to provide quality medical care to the underprivileged.“Education and healthcare are crucial in life; that is why I specifically chose the Education portfolio. The societal change we aspire to is possible only through education. We will focus heavily on the education and health sectors, and we need to work together to achieve this,” he said.Lauding doctors for their services, Mr. Lokesh said the medical profession involved immense personal sacrifice. Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said doctors had continued to work despite the risks involved.Dr. Nageshwar Reddy said clinical excellence could thrive only when complemented by continuous academic activity and supported by research.“The research laboratory and the academic block are not additions to this project; they are part of its structure from the beginning. Our intention in Visakhapatnam is to build the whole ecosystem and make it future-ready,” he said.The hospital will be developed in two phases, with the first phase comprising 650 beds and expected to become operational by October 2028.The project will include a nursing college, paramedic training centre, research laboratory, AI centre and academic block, creating an integrated healthcare, education and research ecosystem.The foundation stone ceremony was attended by A.P. Legislative Assembly Speaker Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat, Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao and senior AIG Hospitals and district officials. Published - August 31, 2026 07:04 pm IST