Puttur, 26 September 2026: A major step towards the proposed government medical college in Puttur was marked with the Bhoomi Pooja for a 300-bed medical college hospital at Sediapu under Bannur Gram Panchayat on September 25.
Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai performed the Bhoomi Pooja and laid the foundation stone. Milk, honey, ghee and tender coconut were offered during the ceremony. The rituals were conducted under the guidance of Shivaprasad Bhat, chief priest of Kuntayana Sri Sadashiva Temple.
A meeting was held after the Bhoomi Pooja. MLA Ashok Kumar Rai honoured members of the Medical College Struggle Committee for their long-standing efforts. The committee members also felicitated the MLA.
₹550 crore sanctioned for medical college
Speaking at the programme, Ahok kumar Rai said the Bhoomi Pooja for the 300-bed hospital at Sediapu was a historic moment for Puttur.
He recalled that efforts to establish a medical college in Puttur had been continuing for several years. The campaign had begun during the tenure of former MLA Shakuntala Shetty, and various meetings and efforts were held to press the government to establish the institution.
Ahok kumar Rai said ₹550 crore has already been sanctioned for the medical college. First phase will include construction of a 300-bed hospital at an estimated cost of ₹182 crore.
He also said there are plans to hold a major foundation-stone laying ceremony for the medical college through the Chief Minister within the next month.
Hospital targeted for completion in two years
Ahok kumar Rai said the 300-bed hospital is targeted for completion within two years so that it can begin providing services to the public. He said the medical college is planned to offer courses including MBBS, physiotherapy, nursing, dental and Ayurveda programmes.
According to the MLA, the project could attract around 25,000 people from outside Puttur and may create 10,000 to 12,000 employment opportunities. He said the medical college could give a boost to Puttur's economy and urban development.
Ahok kumar Rai also said efforts would be made to create more employment opportunities for local people and give importance to the Tulu language at the medical college.
Classes may begin at old court building
Ahok kumar Rai said an alternative arrangement is being considered to start medical college classes at the old court building in Puttur from the next academic year, before the permanent college infrastructure is completed.
Initial plan is to begin with 50 students. Necessary infrastructure is expected to be developed within a year, after which students could be shifted to the new college building in the second year.
He also said the process to upgrade Puttur Government Hospital to 200 beds is under way. Preparations are also being made for the beginning of nursing and medical college programmes, while steps are being taken to provide five acres of land for an Ayurveda college.
Development planned around medical college
Ahok kumar Rai said the area surrounding the medical college would also be developed. Plans include a four-lane road connecting the medical college, development of the nearby lake and construction of a 100-foot road around the lake.
He said facilities would be developed around the lake so that people visiting the hospital can rest and spend time in a better environment. Lake development, fountains and other beautification works are also planned.
Ahok kumar Rai said the aim is to bring visible changes to Puttur over the next two years.
Long-standing campaign reaches milestone
Medical College Struggle Committee members recalled the history of the campaign.
Sediapu Vishwaprasad Bhat said that when the then MLA Shakuntala Shetty was looking for land for a medical college in 2012-13, his family decided to offer its land for the project. He said the land was recorded in the RTC as reserved for the medical college during 2014-15.
He said the struggle committee subsequently organised meetings at different places and continued efforts to press the government. Former Puttur Block Congress president and former president of the Medical College Struggle Committee, M.B. Vishwanath Rai, said the project had passed through several stages before reaching the current stage.
He said the medical college would benefit not only Puttur but also surrounding areas.
Land donors thanked
Ashok Kumar Rai thanked the Medical College Struggle Committee members for their long-standing efforts and appreciated the Sediapu family for providing land for the project.
He described the decision of Sediapu Janardhan Bhat and Vishwaprasad Bhat to provide the land as a significant contribution to the project.
KPCC secretary M.S. Mohammed said the establishment of the medical college could help Puttur develop as an important centre for medical education and healthcare. He called for support for the project beyond political differences.
Mahathobara Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple Management Committee president Eshwar Bhat Panjigudde said the medical college could benefit people across Dakshina Kannada district and help Puttur grow as a major centre.
Several members of the Medical College Struggle Committee, including Dinesh Bhat, Rajesh Krishna Sharma, Venkatramana Punacha, Sanjeeva Kabaka, Sandeep Lobo, Dinesh Hegde, Ashok Adyanthaya, Dr Sandeep Naik, Xavier D'Souza, Vishwaprasad Sediapu, Rupesh Rai Alimar, M.B. Vishwanath Rai, Amal Ramachandra Bhat, Sediapu Janardhan Bhat, M.S. Raghunath Rao and Ullas Kottayan, were honoured during the program. Several Congress leaders, public representatives and others were present.
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