International Ayurveda research institute to be set up in Kannur

KOCHI: The construction work of the International Research Institute of Ayurveda (IRIA) at Kalliyad in Kannur will shift into high gear as KITCO, the state government-backed consultancy agency, has been chosen as the project consultant. The project worth Rs 300 crore is being set up jointly by the Kerala Government and the Central Government. The project is executed by the state government under the National Ayush Mission, Government of India. 

“The project involves setting up a research centre, hospital, herbal garden, museum, residential accommodation for staff and scientists, procuring equipment, lab facilities, guest house and plant building. The centre is intended to be a place of research in rehabilitative, curative and preventive medicine. The project will come up in 200 acres of land with a total built-up area of 68,000 m sq,” a press release from KITCO stated.

The second phase of the project involves setting up of world-class ayurvedic hospitals in all districts in the state. “Setting up of the IRIA will open a new chapter in Ayurveda treatment and research in the state, with modern infrastructure for testing and development of new medicines,” Cyriac Davies, managing director of KITCO said.

Announced two years ago, the project was intended to promote research work linking Ayurveda with biotechnology and to ensure global standards for ayurvedic medicines. 

The lack of an ayurvedic research institute of international standards in the country triggered the government to initiate one. 

The state government has already set aside Rs 50 lakh in the 2016-17 budget and Rs 5 crore in the 2017-18 budget for the initial work. The land for the project was sanctioned by the state government.