Maharashtra Government Greenlights Revised Budget for Hinganghat Medical College Project
The state government of Maharashtra officially sanctioned a revised financial outlay of Rs 476.97 crore on Friday for the establishment of the Government Medical College and Hospital at Hinganghat in Wardha district. This decision marks a significant increase of over Rs 73 crore from the previously approved estimate of Rs 403.89 crore, reflecting adjustments in the project's scope and planning.
Enhanced Infrastructure and Comprehensive Facilities
Once fully operational, the Hinganghat campus is poised to become a pivotal public medical education and healthcare hub in Wardha district. The integrated development will feature teaching facilities, a hospital, hostels, and residential quarters all constructed on a single, cohesive site. The revised administrative sanction, issued by the Medical Education and Drugs Department, specifically covers the construction of a medical college with a capacity for 100 students, an attached hospital with 430 beds, separate hostels for boys and girls, and residential quarters for staff.
Approval Process and Key Conditions
The cost revision followed modifications to the building plans and was cleared by a high-level committee chaired by the Chief Secretary during its meeting on February 28. Subsequently, the earlier government resolution was amended to incorporate these changes. The Public Works Department has been designated as the executing agency responsible for overseeing the project's implementation.
The sanction order outlines several critical pre-construction conditions that must be met, including:
- Verification of land ownership to ensure legal clarity.
- Obtaining necessary prior permissions from civic and archaeological authorities where applicable.
- Ensuring full compliance with environmental norms and disability access standards to promote inclusivity.
Additionally, the order mandates that the buildings incorporate solar energy systems to enhance sustainability, while electrification work is to proceed concurrently with civil construction. Although a private architect has been engaged for the project, all drawings and designs require final approval from government architects to maintain quality and adherence to standards.
Political Significance and Project Timeline
The revision has injected fresh momentum into a project with considerable political and public importance in Hinganghat. In December 2023, local BJP MLA Samir Kunawar staged a protest in front of Vidhan Bhavan and threatened to resign, demanding that the already approved government medical college for Wardha district be established in Hinganghat. He emphasized that the constituency had long sought such an institution, highlighting the community's aspirations for improved healthcare and education infrastructure.
Over the past year, the project has progressed through various technical and tendering stages. In March 2025, a tender was floated for the construction and upgradation of the main hospital building, including electrification, to accommodate 400 beds. This package, estimated at Rs 111.98 crore with a 24-month completion period, underscores the substantial scale of the hospital component within the broader medical college campus. The ongoing developments signal a committed effort to realize this vital public health initiative, benefiting the region's residents and future medical professionals.
