PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) long awaited project to start its own medical college is finally reaching fruition. The private consultant appointed by the civic body has submitted a positive report in favour of starting the medical college. 

The consultant has suggested three models - to form a trust that will be run by the PMC, enter into Public Private Partnership (PPP), or set up the facilities with its own funds. The consultant has estimated the project will cost about Rs 622 crore. 

In 2011-12, then Standing Committee chairman Arvind Shinde (Congress) had proposed to start a medical college by the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC). He had made a provision of Rs 9 crore. However, it failed to materialise. Later, the BJP came to power. In its first Standing Committee budget for 2017-18, then chairman Murlidhar Mohol revisited the medical college project and included it in the budget. He made a provision of Rs 25 crore in 2017-19 annual budget. 

As per the feasibility report, the consultant studied two models of Gujarat and Baramati for medical colleges 

Additional Municipal Commissioner Rubal Agrawal said, “The consultant has prepared a feasibility report and he will make a presentation on Monday.” According to the feasibility report, the consultant studied two models of Gujarat and Baramati for starting the medical college.” 

In Gujarat, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation had given land to set up a medical college and hospital under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) option. As per this option, the PMC will give land to a private party and retain only its name and not get any benefit. 

Under another option, the PMC will form a medical trust like Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) had formed the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Medical Educational Trust in 2008. This trust was created to run the facility to reduce the financial and managerial burden on AMC. It is a self-reliant entity, but a not for profit organisation with no direct financial burden on AMC. In this option, the corporation will have to construct college and hospital by spending their own money. After that, it will run by charging fees from students like any other private medical college. 

Third option is the Baramati model, in which the civic body will set up facilities with its own funds. Afterwards, it will run the hospital and college like a government college and for that, the civic body will have to allocate funds each year as part of its annual budget. 

The college requires 12 acre land, which is available around Naidu Hospital area near Pune Railway Station. 

HISTORY
In 2011-12, then Standing Committee chairman Arvind Shinde (Congress) had proposed to start a medical college by the Pune Municipal Corporation’s. The required land is available around Naidu Hospital area.