The Government Medical College project proposed at Puttur in Dakshina Kannada has taken another leap with the State government appointing a Special Officer to take the proposed project forward.In an official memorandum on June 4, 2026, the Director of Directorate of Medical Education appointed R. Lohit Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Nodal Officer, National Medical Commission (NMC), Chikkamagaluru Institute of Medical Sciences as the Special Officer for the project.The Special Officer will have to prepare the feasibility report of the project and prepare proposals on infrastructure and human resource required and finance estimate and send them to the government.The government said the Special Officer will have to co-ordinate with the district administration by collecting all information needed to establish the college. The officer will have to initiate the process of setting up the college as per the guidelines of NMC.In the same office memorandum, the government appointed Special Officers for setting up government medical colleges at Vijayapura and Kolar.Budget announcementIt may be mentioned here that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced opening of the college in Puttur in the 2025-26 Budget. The Finance Department has given its consent to construct the hospital building. The project falls under the jurisdiction of the Medical Education Department.The State government has also given administrative approval for constructing a 300-bed hospital building at a cost of ₹180 crore. The approval given was for civil works of the five-floor building.The building will have a total built-up area of 30,302.23 sqm with lower ground, upper ground, and three upper floors, the government order said.The proposed project will come up at Bannur in Puttur. Of 40 acres identified for the project, 19 acres belong to the Forest Department as it is a reserve forest area. Hence, the balance area available is 21 acres, the order said, stating that the availability of 19 acres will have to be confirmed by the department.The order said that the building should be designed in such a way to allow its upgradation as a 650-bed hospital. Published - June 07, 2026 07:27 pm IST