Land for Atal medical varsity inspected in Balh
State Atal Medical University, established in 2019, is grappling with the challenge of securing land for its permanent campus in Mandi district. Currently operating from the Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Medical College campus in Nerchowk under Balh Assembly constituency, the university's search for a suitable location has been hampered by political disagreements and local opposition.
The university administration has now inspected a land option in Mandal panchayat in Balh Assembly constituency two days ago, which reportedly has around 200 bighas available. Girish Summra, Registrar of Atal Medical University, said that the land is being evaluated and the revenue documents will undergo scrutiny to assess its feasibility for the university campus.
Earlier, a 125-bigha piece of land was identified in Harabag in the Sundernagar subdivision, but the plan met with stiff resistance from local BJP MLA Inder Singh Gandhi, who represents the Balh Assembly constituency. Gandhi had threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike if the state government proceeds with establishing the university campus outside his constituency.
The state government has also officially notified land in the Sundernagar subdivision for the campus, but it is not clear whether the Mandal site will be chosen. The final decision is expected in the coming days.
Atal Medical University currently oversees six medical colleges, 47 nursing colleges, four dental colleges, two paramedical colleges and two Ayurvedic and Homeopathy colleges across the state. The absence of a dedicated campus has created significant operational challenges for the university.
MLA Inder Singh Gandhi has urged the state government to expedite the process and establish the campus at the earliest for the smooth functioning of the institution. As the situation evolves, all eyes are on the government’s next move in resolving the land dispute.
