Govt. medical college project at Puttur awaiting Cabinet nod, says Medical Education Minister

Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash Patil said in Mangaluru on Friday that the government will invite bids for constructing the Government Medical College at Puttur once the State Cabinet approves the project.

“The Detailed Project Report of the medical college is ready. It will be placed in the next meeting of the State Cabinet. After getting its approval, bids will be invited for its construction,” he said.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating the nine-day national SARAS (Sale of Articles of Rural Artisan Society) mela where products of women Self-Help Groups are sold, the Minister said the proposal of constructing the medical college was shifted from the Department of Health and Family Welfare to the Medical Education Department a month ago.

The Minister said he has mooted the concept of having a government medical college in every district in the State. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has given approval for it. So far, there are 22 government medical colleges in the State.

“Last year we sanctioned a medical college for Bagalkote and its construction has began. We will set up a new medical college in Kanakapura too. This year too announcement will be made in the budget for opening some more new government medical colleges,” he said.

In the next five years, the Government wants to have a government medical college, a super-speciality centre, a cancer treatment centre and a trauma centre in every district. The State Government intends to provide quality secondary and tertiary care for the needy at government healthcare centres.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced opening of new government college in Puttur in 2025-26 budget. The new hospital is slated to come up on 40 acres of land in Bannur, near Puttur. The State Finance Department has given its consent to construct a 300-bed hospital in Puttur. The Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai has said that establishing the medical college might require ₹1,000 crore.