Tripura is set to begin the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) programme at the proposed Tripura Government Ayurvedic Medical College, marking a significant milestone in the state’s AYUSH education sector.

Health and Family Welfare Secretary Kiran Gitte on Saturday inspected the Integrated AYUSH Hospital at Chandrapur in Gomati district, which is being developed as the temporary campus of the medical college, along with the site earmarked for the institution’s permanent campus at Tepania. He was accompanied by National Health Mission (NHM) and National AYUSH Mission Director Saju Wahid A, Director of Health Services Dr. Debasree Debbarma, PWD Chief Engineer Er. Sanjay Das, Gomati Additional District Magistrate Subhash Acharya, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kamal Reang, Executive Engineer Tapan Sarkar, AYUSH Ayurvedic Branch Officer Dr. Gouri Shankar Bhowmik and other senior officials.

Speaking to reporters after the inspection, Gitte said the Integrated AYUSH Hospital at Chandrapur is being upgraded into a temporary campus with separate classrooms, boys’ and girls’ hostels, and all essential academic infrastructures. He expressed confidence that the work would be completed within the next 15 days.

The Health secretary said the college would commence its first academic session with an intake of 60 students for the BAMS programme. Administrative formalities, including the appointment of the principal and faculty members, have already been initiated by the state government. Admissions will be conducted in accordance with national guidelines following the declaration of the NEET-UG results, and the admission notification will be issued shortly.

Gitte said the establishment of the college would allow students from Tripura to pursue a BAMS degree within the state instead of travelling elsewhere. He added that the government is steadily expanding AYUSH education and is also preparing to establish a new Government Homoeopathic Medical College at Amarpur Colony, complementing the existing homoeopathy education facilities in Agartala. This will enable students to pursue both BAMS and BHMS courses within Tripura.

Regarding the permanent campus, the Health Secretary said a state-of-the-art Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital would be constructed at Tepania at an estimated cost of around Rs 70 crore. The campus will include academic blocks, a teaching hospital, separate hostels for students, residential quarters for faculty and staff, and all modern educational and healthcare infrastructures. The land has already been transferred to the Health Department, and preparatory work for construction is progressing.

During the visit to Tepania, Gitte said the site was selected after evaluating several potential locations following the directions of the Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha. He noted that its proximity to the national highway would ensure convenient access for students, faculty, doctors, patients and the public, enabling the institution to evolve into a comprehensive centre for medical education and healthcare services.

He said the Public Works Department (Buildings), the National AYUSH Mission and the Health Department have already begun preparing the master plan for the modern campus, which will feature international-standard academic facilities, a teaching hospital, separate student hostels, staff accommodation, research and training facilities, and other essential infrastructure.

The Secretary also said he had discussed the project with Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, who directed officials to expedite the work and widen the approach road to the temporary campus to ensure smooth transportation for students and staff over the next two years.

Describing the project as a historic initiative, Gitte said it reflects the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister and the support of the Government of India. Once completed, the institution is expected to significantly strengthen AYUSH education and healthcare in Tripura and emerge as one of the leading AYUSH medical education and treatment centres in Northeast India.

He added that the state government is treating the project as a top priority and is coordinating with all concerned departments to begin construction within the stipulated timeframe.