Bhubaneswar, Aug. 3: The website for the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, has not yet been launched because of staff crunch, even though

classes are scheduled to start in September.

As much information is not available about the premier institute and with August 10 set as the deadline for submission of documents and deposit of fees for the selected candidates, most students and parents are struggling to get basic details.

While most of the other new AIIMS have launched their websites informing the students about the timing of arrival and accommodation details, AIIMS Bhubaneswar has done none of this.

Common information for all new AIIMS institutes have been made available in the website of ministry of health and family welfare, which includes a page on AIIMS Bhubanewar. This has the list of the faculty and students selected for the institute. This apart, there is some information available on the list of documents and amount of money the students should bring along for verification.

“However, there is no information on when and where the students need to arrive or where the hostels are situated. At least they should have put in place a helpline where we could get answers for our queries,” said a parent.

AIIMS Bhopal, Raipur, Jodhpur and Patna have opened websites with details to address basic queries of students. Although the cabinet committee on appointments has selected A.K. Mohapatra, a practicing neurosurgeon at the Delhi AIIMS, as the director, he is yet to join. “I am yet to receive my relieve orders. As soon as I get it I would join,” said Mohapatra.

“We could not develop the website as there was a shortage of staff. The ministry should have developed it as we have no manpower yet,” he said. “The Supreme Court has passed orders stating that classes in all medical colleges has to start by September 30. Only a few weeks are left and work has to be speeded up,” he said.

The medical college building is in its advanced stages of completion and will be ready by September 30. However, since the hostel buildings are not yet completed, the authorities are trying to make arrangements by renting some buildings so that students can be accommodated.

“Students do not need a hospital until they are in the second year. So we can start the first year classes without much problem. Also, the state government has suggested that Capital Hospital can be explored for the purpose. So, there should not be much problem,” said Mohapatra.