Punjab earmarks 104 acres for medical institutions in Mullanpur

The govt has also constituted a scrutiny committee to ensure transparency in allotments to eligible enterprises

The Punjab government has finalised plot allotment policy to set up multi-speciality hospitals, medical colleges and medical research institutes in medicity at New Chandigarh (Mullanpur), spread over 104 acres, with a view to provide quality health care education and ultra modern treatment facilities. The government has also constituted a scrutiny committee to ensure transparency in allotments to eligible enterprises.

On Wednesday, an official spokesman of housing and urban development department informed keeping in view the massive response from private sector to invest in health care and biosciences, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had envisioned to set up a dedicated hub for health care facilities to realise the requirements of investors near the state capital.

"Total private health care spending in Punjab is about 82 per cent which proves the market is largely unexplored and it offers a good opportunity for investors to create medical facilities in the state, having a higher per capita income and more spending power," the spokesman said.

He said the deputy chief minister, who also holds the housing and urban development portfolio, had strategically visualised medicity in New Chandigarh in the neighbourhood of edu-city for development for multi-speciality hospitals, medical university, medical college cum hospital for which 258 acres of land has been reserved by Greater Mohali Area Development Authority.

He further added as per allotment policy recently cleared by the deputy chief minister, 104 acres would be allotted to set up hospitals, medical institutes and research centres whereas the remaining land would be developed to construct roads, parks, green belts and parking, along with residential accommodations, commercial convention centre and other utilities. He informed that 50 acres out the total 104 acres had already been allotted to Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre which was under construction.

To ensure transparency in plot allotments, the deputy chief minister has constituted a scrutiny committee under the chairmanship of chief secretary comprising principal secretary to chief minister and principal secretary of Health and Family Welfare and chief executive officer of Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion, among others secretary of Housing and Urban Development, secretary of Science and Technology, secretary of Medical Education and Research, director of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) and chief administrator of GMADA as its members.