VIDEO: Maharashtra Cabinet Approves ₹485 Crore Govt Medical College In Ahilyanagar; Named After Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar

Mumbai: In a major move to strengthen healthcare and medical education in rural Maharashtra, the state cabinet has approved the establishment of a new government medical college in Ahilyanagar district (erstwhile Ahmednagar) at an estimated cost of Rs 485.08 crore.

The college will have an intake capacity of 100 students and will be accompanied by a 430-bed hospital. It has been officially named Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Government Medical College in honor of the legendary queen and social reformer.

This landmark decision was taken during the state cabinet meeting held on Tuesday in Chaundi, Ahilyanagar—the first time such a meeting was organized at this location. The event marked the 300th birth anniversary of Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar, and the Fadnavis government chose this occasion to announce initiatives of lasting impact.

The meeting was anticipated to deliver key decisions, and it lived up to expectations with several significant resolutions, including this vital step toward improving healthcare infrastructure in the region.

In addition, several important decisions focused on women’s welfare were taken. To empower women across the state, the ‘Adishakti Abhiyan’ will be implemented. The campaign aims to address women’s health issues sensitively, reduce malnutrition, infant mortality, and maternal mortality, increase the education rate among girls, prevent sexual and physical abuse, promote women’s leadership in the Panchayati Raj system, and enhance women’s financial independence. An allocation of approximately ₹10.5 crore was sanctioned for the implementation of this initiative.

Furthermore, the cabinet approved development plans worth ₹5,503 crore for seven major pilgrimage sites in the state. These include Ashtavinayak, Tulja Bhavani Devi, Ambabai of Kolhapur, Jyotiba Temple, and the Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nashik, among others.

To commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar and to honor her legacy, a film will be produced in Marathi as well as in multiple other languages. The aim is to showcase her remarkable work and bring global recognition to her contributions through a visual medium. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the film will be released on an international scale.