In response to environmental concerns and the potential impact on Ananthagiri hills, Vikarabad district officials have opted to shift the proposed Government Medical College from Ananthagiri to Bilaa Dhakhala within the district. The decision comes as a result of the significant number of trees that would have been cut down for the construction of the medical college in Ananthagiri.
Originally, the proposal involved the felling of 5,000 trees, but the forest department granted permission for the cutting of only 412 trees for the building’s construction. Additionally, the Tourism department had laid out plans for an eco-tourism project in Ananthagiri hills, with an estimated cost of Rs. 118 crores.
Considering these factors and the proposed eco-tourism initiative, the district administration identified a location near Sree Anantha Padmanabha College for the new medical college in Vikarabad. Approximately 200 acres of government land are available, with around 30 acres allocated for the medical college building.
Officials stated, “The decision to shift the government medical college has been taken considering the environmental significance of the Ananthagiri hills and the need to cut several trees for the construction of the college building.” Once estimates for the building are finalized, tenders will be floated, and the construction is expected to be completed within two years.
The State government has reportedly accepted the proposal for relocating the medical college, which had already commenced classes for the academic year 2023-24 in the TB Sanatorium building within Vikarabad district. Simultaneously, construction on the hospital attached to the medical college is progressing in advanced stages.
