In a key development for healthcare in North Karnataka, the long-pending Kidwai Cancer Hospital project has gained momentum, with land finalised and preparatory work now underway.
The State Government had originally approved the hospital in 2022 to improve cancer care access in the region. After years of delay due to land constraints, a site measuring about 1.3 acres has now been identified within the district hospital premises, under the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS). Work to clear the site, including demolition of old structures, has been accelerated.
District Surgeon Eranna Pallad confirmed that the location has been finalised and preparatory work is in progress. “The cancer hospital will be set up by Kidwai. BIMS will provide the necessary space and support infrastructure,” he said.
The ₹50 crore project had earlier faced multiple hurdles, primarily due to the unavailability of suitable land. Initially, the hospital was proposed at Vadagaon under the Taluka Health Department. However, the plan was later revised to integrate the cancer hospital within an existing medical ecosystem to ensure access to essential ancillary services.
Efforts to locate space within BIMS had earlier stalled due to competing infrastructure requirements. The issue also came up for discussion during the 2024 winter session at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, where concerns were raised about the lack of a dedicated cancer facility in a district of this scale.
A breakthrough came in 2025 during a district development review meeting chaired by Guardian Minister Satish Jarkiholi at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, where it was decided to allocate space within the district hospital premises. The district administration subsequently agreed to provide the required land.
As per the approved plan, the old nursing college building within the BIMS hospital campus will be demolished to make way for the new cancer facility. With demolition work now in full swing, the project has finally moved into the execution phase.
The project had faced prolonged delays primarily due to the lack of suitable land. Although initially approved in 2022 with a proposed site at Vadagaon, the plan ran into practical challenges, as a standalone cancer hospital requires access to multiple allied medical departments to function effectively. Attempts to accommodate the facility within the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) campus were also hindered by space constraints and competing infrastructure needs. These limitations stalled progress for nearly four years, until a viable site within the district hospital premises was finally identified and cleared.
Once completed, the Kidwai Cancer Hospital is expected to significantly enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment facilities, benefiting patients across Belagavi district and the wider North Karnataka region.