Jaipur, April 7 (IANS) Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, in Chapter 16 of his ‘Intezaar Shastra’ digital series, launched a sharp attack on the Rajasthan government over delays in the construction of Marwar Medical University. He alleged that the BJP government has failed to protect the aspirations of the Marwar region, stating that the proposed Rs 500 crore project has fallen victim to a “tortoise pace” of progress.

Ashok Gehlot said the deadline of March 31, 2027, now appears to be merely “a decoration on paper” due to the government’s sluggish functioning.

Targeting the ruling dispensation, he said that after showing “shortsightedness” regarding All India Institute of Medical Sciences, the government is now neglecting Marwar Medical University as well.

“This is not just negligence, but a planned step-motherly treatment towards Marwar,” he said, adding that the people of the region are “tired of waiting” for development projects to materialise.

Gehlot recalled that the university was announced during the Congress government’s 2023–24 budget with the objective of strengthening medical education and research in western Rajasthan, particularly in Jodhpur.

The project was envisaged to benefit multiple institutions across the region and improve healthcare infrastructure. He further highlighted that during the Congress tenure from 2018 to 2023, the government had announced 12 new medical colleges and 29 nursing colleges to expand healthcare capacity. For the Marwar Medical University, around 100 bighas of land were allocated along with a budgetary provision of Rs 500 crore.

According to Ashok Gehlot, the project suffered initial setbacks after the change in government. Although work eventually commenced following pressure from the Congress, he claimed that the pace remains far from satisfactory.

At present, he said, the university is functioning from just three rooms, reflecting the slow progress on the ground.

While the official deadline for completion is 2027, Ashok Gehlot expressed serious doubts about timely delivery, warning that unless the pace is accelerated, the project risks further delays, leaving the aspirations of the people of Marwar unfulfilled.

–IANS

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