DAVV To Establish Medical College in Jhabua; Land Allocation Complete

University awaits nod to temporarily run operations from engineering campus

Indore's Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) has cleared a major hurdle in its plan to set up a dedicated medical college in Jhabua district. The state government has formally allocated land for the institution, marking a significant step forward in expanding higher medical education in the region.

However, the university faces a waiting period before construction commences. In the interim, DAVV has sought permission to operate the medical college from the existing engineering campus in Jhabua—a proposal now under review with the National Medical Council (NMC).

Land Secured, Hospital Partnership Underway

According to DAVV Vice-Chancellor Professor Rakesh Singhel, the university's executive council had previously approved the medical college establishment. The Madhya Pradesh government's Higher Education Department has now confirmed land allocation for the permanent campus.

Simultaneously, the state is considering handing over Jhabua District Hospital to DAVV, which would serve as the teaching hospital for the institution. The hospital currently operates 250 beds. Combined with an additional 50 beds from the university's facilities, this would meet the mandatory 300-bed requirement for a 100-seat medical college.

"We're receiving the hospital infrastructure, so there's no additional cost there," Singhel noted during a recent interaction. "The initial construction for the medical college building will require somewhere between 350 and 400 crore rupees."

Temporary Setup Awaits Clearance

The university's interim proposal hinges on a regulatory approval that remains pending. DAVV has formally applied to the NMC for permission to run the medical programme from the engineering college premises in Jhabua until the dedicated medical campus becomes operational.

This arrangement is not uncommon in Indian higher education, where universities often launch new programmes in existing facilities before permanent infrastructure is ready. The move would allow DAVV to commence admissions without further delay, once the final nod arrives.

Expected Timeline Uncertain

University officials expressed cautious optimism about receiving a decision within the current month. The timeline for construction of the permanent medical college building, however, remains contingent on fund allocation and administrative clearances from the state government.

The medical college project aligns with broader efforts to improve healthcare education and physician availability in central India. Jhabua, a largely rural district, currently lacks a dedicated government medical institution.

DAVV, established in 1984, operates multiple academic programmes across engineering, arts, and science disciplines. The medical college would mark its entry into professional health education, consolidating the university's role as a comprehensive academic hub in the region.