Agartala, Oct 9 (PTI): The Tripura government has initiated the planning process for setting up a medical college at Jolaibari in South Tripura district, with financial assistance proposed under the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), Minority Welfare Minister Shukla Charan Noatia said on Friday.
A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manik Saha was held to discuss the project’s modalities, planning and implementation roadmap, Noatia said in a social media post.
The proposed medical college will come up in the 38-Jolaibari Assembly constituency, represented by Noatia. The state government’s Department of Minorities Welfare will serve as the nodal department responsible for overseeing the project’s implementation, he said.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the secretary of the Health Department, the special secretary-cum-director of the Minorities Welfare Department, the South Tripura district magistrate and collector, the chief engineer of the Public Works Department (Buildings) and the chief medical officer of South Tripura.
Officials discussed the key aspects of the proposed institution, along with the administrative arrangements required to take the project forward, the minister said.
However, details regarding the estimated project cost, proposed infrastructure, number of medical seats, bed capacity and construction timeline have not yet been disclosed.
The proposed institution is expected to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and expand access to medical education in the southern part of Tripura. It could also improve access to medical facilities for residents of Jolaibari and adjoining areas, although the government has not yet announced details of the services to be offered.
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, implemented by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, has been identified as the proposed source of financial assistance for the project.
The state government’s Minorities Welfare Department will coordinate the implementation and monitoring process, according to the minister.
Noatia expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Saha and the Central government for their support towards the proposed medical college.
Further details regarding formal approval of the project, the allocation of funds and the implementation schedule were not immediately available.
The initiative comes as the state government explores measures to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure and expand educational opportunities across Tripura. However, the project’s execution will depend on the necessary approvals, funding arrangements and finalisation of its implementation plan.
