Balbir Singh has announced the establishment of seven new medical colleges across Punjab as part of the state government’s efforts to expand medical education and healthcare infrastructure.
While addressing a press conference on Thursday, the minister explained that the upcoming institutions will include two government medical colleges, two colleges under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, and three colleges run by private and minority organisations.
Shaheed Udham Singh State Institute of Medical Sciences in Hoshiarpur
The minister stated that construction of the Shaheed Udham Singh State Institute of Medical Sciences in Hoshiarpur will begin on March 20 and is expected to be completed by March 2028.
The project has received administrative approval of ₹274.75 crore. Once completed, the institute will include a 300-bed hospital along with a medical college offering an annual intake of 100 MBBS students.
Officials Present at the Announcement
Several senior officials accompanied the health minister during the press conference. These included Kumar Rahul, Principal Secretary (Health); Amit Talwar, Special Secretary-cum-Managing Director of Punjab Health System Corporation; and Avnish Kumar, Director (Research and Medical Education).
Government Reduces Project Cost
During the briefing, Dr Balbir Singh highlighted that the state government, led by Bhagwant Mann, conducted a detailed review of the project’s initial estimates.
As a result, the government successfully reduced the project cost from ₹550 crore to ₹274 crore, saving nearly ₹250 crore in public funds.
Additional Government Medical College in Kapurthala
In addition to the Hoshiarpur institute, the minister announced that another government medical college will be established in Kapurthala. The tender process for the project has already been completed, and construction work is expected to begin soon.
PPP Model Colleges in Sangrur and SBS Nagar
Furthermore, two medical colleges will be developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. These institutions will be located in Sangrur and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar.
As reported by TOI, the tendering process for both projects is currently underway.
Strengthening Medical Education in Punjab
Through these initiatives, the Punjab government aims to expand access to medical education while strengthening healthcare services across the state. By establishing new institutions in multiple districts and adopting different development models, the government plans to address the growing demand for trained medical professionals and improved healthcare infrastructure.