In a significant boost to healthcare infrastructure in the coastal region, the Karnataka government has formally approved the construction of a major 300-bed hospital in Puttur, paving the way for a new medical college. The move, hailed as a historic decision by local legislator Ashok Kumar Rai, comes with a substantial budgetary allocation and a clear timeline for execution.
Official Approval and Project Timeline
The state finance department issued its official sanction for the project on November 27, as confirmed by Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai in a press interaction on Monday. With the financial clearance now in place, the administrative machinery is set to move swiftly. A detailed project report (DPR) for the hospital, which is integral to the establishment of the medical college, is expected to be finalized within the next 45 days.
Following the DPR, the tender process for the actual construction of the 300-bed facility will be initiated and is slated for completion within two months. The foundation stone for this ambitious project will be laid by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at a later date, marking a ceremonial start to the physical work.
A Long-Standing Demand Fulfilled
MLA Ashok Rai emphasized that the establishment of a medical college in Puttur represents the fulfillment of a major promise by the Congress-led state government. He revealed that an estimated Rs 1,000 crore has been earmarked in the budget specifically for the medical college project. The local administration has requested the government to implement the project in Bannur and has advocated for the hospital building work to be directly handled by the medical education department to streamline the process.
The planning for the hospital is comprehensive, ensuring it meets national standards. "Necessary specifications, including setting up of labs, operation theatres, and other facilities, need to be developed as per the guidelines of the Medical Council of India," Rai stated, underscoring the commitment to quality infrastructure.
Political Significance and Government's Commitment
The MLA did not shy away from addressing the political dimension of the project. He noted that many opposition party leaders had been skeptical about the government's ability to establish a medical college in Puttur. With the finance department's approval now official, Rai asserted that the government has delivered on its pledge.
"The opposition parties could not take initiatives to establish a medical college in Puttur. Let them stop mocking and criticising now as the proposal is now official. Chief minister Siddaramaiah has kept his word," he added. This statement highlights the project's importance as a testament to the current administration's development agenda for the region.
The approval of the 300-bed hospital is the crucial first step in a long-awaited dream for enhanced medical education and advanced healthcare services in Puttur and its surrounding districts, setting a new benchmark for public health infrastructure in Karnataka.
