Balurghat, Sept. 7 -- The South Dinajpur district administration has initiated steps to make temporary arrangements for starting academic activities at the proposed Balurghat Medical College, with the state government aiming to admit its first batch in September 2027.
The move follows directions given by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at an administrative meeting on September 2.
According to officials, construction of the permanent medical college building is expected to take another two to three years. The government, however, does not want to wait until the completion of the building to begin classes. Balurghat MP and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar had earlier also expressed a similar view.
A meeting was subsequently held at the district administrative building in Balurghat, attended by District Magistrate Balasubramanian T, Chief Medical Officer of Health Sudip Das and other officials.
The primary focus was to identify a suitable temporary building where classrooms and other facilities for the medical college could be arranged.
"The medical college building will take two to three years to complete. The Chief Minister and Principal Secretary have asked us to start classes next year. Therefore, we have been directed to send a proposal for arranging a building temporarily," the District Magistrate said.
CMOH Sudip Das said: "Work has already started to implement the instructions given at the administrative meeting as soon as possible."
Administrative sources said the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the medical college has already been prepared and the building design finalised. The Chief Minister has also indicated that the Bhoomi Puja for the project would be held after Lakshmi Puja.
The district administration is examining whether classrooms and hostel facilities can initially be arranged within Balurghat District Hospital. If required, an auditorium in the town or another government building may also be taken on rent for temporary use, officials said.
Meanwhile, steps have also been initiated to expand the existing Nursing Training School inside Balurghat District Hospital. The school currently has 65 seats and officials have directed that a proposal be sent to increase the capacity to 100. Work has also begun to identify land for the Nursing Training College announced by the Chief Minister.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.