PMC’s medical college risks losing NMC recognition; final 4-month deadline issued.
Commissioner orders urgent setup of 430-bed hospital and approves 980 staff recruitments.
₹700 crore additional funding sought from the state to complete hospital infrastructure.
Pune, 18 July 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) hurriedly launched Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College is now facing the risk of de-recognition. The National Medical Commission (NMC), which governs medical education standards in India, has issued a final four-month ultimatum to implement critical improvements or face cancellation of the institution's recognition.
Launched in 2022 in Mangalwar Peth area, the medical college has suffered from chronic mismanagement ever since. Key components such as hospital infrastructure, faculty recruitment, and student housing were either delayed or ignored. Despite two warning notices from the NMC over the last year, little progress was made, prompting the latest action.
In response, PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has launched a last-ditch effort to salvage the project. A 430-bed hospital will be operational within four months at Kamala Nehru Hospital. He also revealed plans for a 280-bed facility at Naidu Hospital, though land encroachments have caused delays at that site.
Commissioner Ram acknowledged the lack of proper planning at the time of launching the college. He stated that construction of the main hospital and academic buildings will take at least another year. In the meantime, temporary facilities are being arranged to meet NMC requirements.
To resolve the staffing crisis, PMC has approved the recruitment of 980 personnel. Existing contractual staff including doctors, nurses, and technicians will receive contract extensions, while new hires are expected in the coming weeks.
Though around 90% of the ₹700 crore construction for the medical college is already completed, PMC now requires an additional ₹700 crore to establish the hospital facilities. As funds are unavailable with the municipal body, a request for financial assistance is being submitted to the state government.
The next four months will be crucial for the future of PMC’s ambitious but beleaguered medical college project.