Wayanad Medical College to be realised in 2022; Rs 300 cr allotted

Thiruvananthapuram: Finance minister Dr Thomas Isaac said that Wayanad Medical College, a long-time dream of the locals, will be realised in 2021-22. Rs 300 crore will be allotted from KIIFB for the project. Hemoglobinopathy Research and Care Centre will be set up as part of the new medical college to study about genetic disorders like sickle cell anaemia, he added.

Various projects were announced for Wayanad in the budget. The coffee farmers get only 10 percent of the value of branded coffee powder as price of coffee beans. The crisis of coffee farmers can be resolved only if this ratio is increased in a few years as part of branding coffee powder.

The carbon neutral project will help Wayanad to brand the coffee powder. At present, the carbon emission rate in the district is 15 lakh tonnes. Among them, 13 lakh tonnes can be absorbed by the trees growing there.

Bamboos and 70 lakh trees should be planted in 6500 hectares of land as part of reducing carbon emission. Tree banking project can be encouraged. Biodiversity will improve and it will be helpful for eco-tourism.

Over Rs 100 crore has been allotted for Wayanad in the annual project. Rs 25 crore will be spent for creating job opportunities for women belonging to ST category. Rs 941 crore was allocated for various projects in KIIFB.

Construction of tunnel road will commence once the environment impact assessment is finished. A share of the expense for Wayanad-Bandipur elevated highway will be managed by the state if the project is approved. Pazhassi Tribal College will be set up for tribal students, the minister added.