Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot criticized the Rajasthan government in Chapter 16 of his ‘Intezaar Shastra’ digital series for the delays in constructing Marwar Medical University. He accused the BJP government of failing to uphold the Marwar region’s aspirations, citing the slow progress of the proposed Rs 500 crore project as evidence. Gehlot expressed disappointment, stating that the March 31, 2027 deadline now seems like a mere formality due to the government’s sluggish approach.
Targeting the ruling dispensation, Gehlot accused them of neglecting Marwar Medical University after previously mishandling the All India Institute of Medical Sciences project. He described the government’s actions as not just negligence but a deliberate disregard for Marwar, emphasizing that the region’s residents are weary of waiting for development initiatives to materialize.
Gehlot highlighted that the university was announced during the Congress government’s 2023–24 budget to enhance medical education and research in western Rajasthan, particularly in Jodhpur. The project aimed to benefit various institutions in the region and enhance healthcare infrastructure. During the Congress tenure from 2018 to 2023, 12 new medical colleges and 29 nursing colleges were announced to expand healthcare capacity, with Marwar Medical University receiving 100 bighas of land and a budget of Rs 500 crore.
According to Gehlot, the project faced initial setbacks with the change in government. Despite work starting after pressure from the Congress, he criticized the slow pace of progress. Currently, the university operates from just three rooms, indicating the lack of substantial development on the ground. Gehlot expressed doubts about meeting the 2027 completion deadline, cautioning that without acceleration, further delays could jeopardize the aspirations of Marwar’s people.
