JP Nadda Lays Foundation Stone for Rs 36-Crore ICMR High-Altitude Research Centre in Keylong

October 13, 2026

Keylong, Himachal Pradesh: Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday laid the foundation stone for the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) High-Altitude Research Centre in Keylong, Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of around 10,000 feet. The project is estimated to cost Rs 36 crore and aims to support research into health-related challenges associated with high-altitude living.

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Himachal Pradesh Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur attended the foundation stone-laying ceremony.

Addressing the gathering, Nadda highlighted the Centre’s focus on developing border villages and improving infrastructure to promote tourism and economic growth.

JP Nadda Highlights Development of Border Villages

Nadda said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had changed the way border villages were viewed, describing them not as the last villages of the country but as its first villages.

“This is the last village of our country. PM Modi has changed its definition. It is not the last village of the country. It is the first village of the country. By considering it as the first village and making it a vibrant village, tourism is increasing there today,” Nadda said.

He added that special packages were being offered to promote development in such areas. According to Nadda, Himachal Pradesh has 75 Vibrant Villages where roads and dispensaries are being developed, while homestay facilities are also being arranged to accommodate tourists.

He said these initiatives would help strengthen infrastructure, encourage tourism and advance development in remote areas.

Health Budget Rises to Over Rs 99,000 Crore: Sanjay Seth

Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth highlighted the increase in the country’s health budget, saying it had risen from Rs 37,000 crore in 2014-15 to more than Rs 99,000 crore.

“In 2014-15, the health budget in the country was Rs 37,000 crore and today, under the leadership of JP Nadda, the budget is more than Rs 99,000 crore,” Seth said.

Jai Ram Thakur Says Keylong Research Will Benefit the Country

Himachal Pradesh Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said research conducted at the new centre in Keylong would have applications across the country and beyond.

Thakur pointed to the expansion of medical infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh, noting that AIIMS, once associated primarily with Delhi, is now also located in Bilaspur. He added that the state has six government medical colleges.

Explaining the importance of the research centre, Thakur said the conditions of daily life at high altitudes differ significantly from those at lower elevations, creating distinct health-related challenges.

He said research conducted by scientists in Keylong would help address these challenges and that its findings could be used nationally and globally.

Kangana Ranaut Links Centre to PM Modi’s Development Vision

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut described the establishment of the ICMR centre as being in line with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of prioritising villages located along the country’s borders.

She said border villages had traditionally been described as the last villages because of their geographical location, but the Prime Minister’s approach placed them at the forefront of development.

“We were called the last village because we are people living near the border area. The Prime Minister says that it is not the last but the first. It is our priority and, indeed, as he says, so is his action. JP Nadda is the son of our mountains,” Ranaut said.

The new research centre is expected to strengthen scientific research into health issues associated with high-altitude environments, while the foundation stone ceremony also highlighted the government’s focus on infrastructure and development in remote border regions.