Chandigarh: The Punjab Government has issued a Letter of Intent (LoI) for setting up a medical college and teaching hospital in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district, also known as Nawanshahr, with a proposed intake of 50 MBBS students annually.
Estimated at ₹160 crore, the project will be developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model by Indus Super Speciality Healthcare Private Limited. The Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) has issued the LoI to the company under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) framework.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh announced the development on November 5, describing it as a Diwali gift for the Doaba region. Construction of the medical college building is expected to begin in December 2026, while the institution is targeted to become operational within 18 months.
50 MBBS Seats, Half Under Punjab Government Quota
The proposed medical college will offer 50 MBBS seats annually, with 50% of the seats reserved under the Punjab Government quota.
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The initiative is expected to expand access to medical education for students from Nawanshahr and neighbouring areas, allowing them to pursue medical studies closer to home.
The project will also include dedicated academic and residential infrastructure to support the medical college.
Existing District Hospital to Be Upgraded to 220 Beds
A major component of the project is the expansion of the existing 150-bed district hospital in Nawanshahr into a 220-bed teaching hospital.
The upgraded facility will be developed in accordance with the requirements of the National Medical Commission (NMC), providing the clinical infrastructure needed for medical education.
The project will also incorporate existing facilities at the site, including the hospital building, dialysis centre and critical care block. The minister said their availability would help accelerate construction.
30-Bed Cardiac Care Unit to Include Cath Lab
The medical college complex will also house a 30-bed super-speciality cardiac care unit equipped with interventional cardiology facilities.
The proposed facilities include:
- A catheterisation laboratory (Cath Lab) for angiography and angioplasty.
- Specialised cardiac care services.
- Emergency treatment facilities for patients requiring urgent cardiac intervention.
The facility is expected to serve residents of Nawanshahr, Balachaur, Rupnagar, Garhshankar, Banga, Machhiwara and surrounding areas within a radius of approximately 35–40 km.
Dr. Balbir Singh said patients suffering heart attacks often had to be referred to PGI Chandigarh or hospitals in Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Amritsar. The new facility is intended to reduce the distance and time required to access specialised cardiac treatment.
PPP Model to Retain Government Hospital Rates
Addressing concerns over the involvement of a private partner, the Health Minister said the PPP arrangement would not lead to higher charges for patients.
According to the minister, the OPD registration fee will remain ₹10, at par with other government hospitals.
He also outlined the proposed arrangements for affordable treatment:
- Eligible beneficiaries will be entitled to cashless treatment under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY).
- Patients covered under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) will also be eligible for cashless treatment.
- Essential medicines will be provided free of cost through the government pharmacy.
- Diagnostic services, including CT scans and MRI, will be available at subsidised rates.
Project Expected to Benefit Doaba Region
The proposed medical college and teaching hospital are expected to strengthen both healthcare delivery and medical education in the Doaba region.
The project combines an expansion of the existing district hospital, additional MBBS seats and specialised cardiac care facilities within a single healthcare complex.
Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Kumar Rahul, Rupnagar MLA Dinesh Chadha and Nawanshahr constituency in-charge Jaspreet Singh Robby Kang were also present during the announcement.
While the formal project timeline is three years, the state government expects the availability of existing hospital infrastructure to help bring the institution into operation within 18 months.
