New Veterinary college in Kadaba set to benefit coastal region

Kadaba: A promising new educational institution, the College of Veterinary Medicine, is taking shape in Koila, Kadaba taluk, as part of the Karnataka University of Veterinary Medicine, Animal and Fisheries Sciences in Bidar. With plans to commence classes by the end of the following year, this college is poised to become a source of pride for the coastal region.

The development of the college is divided into four phases, with the first phase, including the construction of the college building, boys and girls hostels, a guest house, and a veterinary medical complex, already completed at a cost of Rs 136 crore.

The upcoming second phase, with a budget of Rs 245 crore, will see further expansion across 247 acres of land, adding a library, auditorium, concrete road, enclosure wall, Staff hostel, student lecture hall, hostels, and buildings for sheep, goat, and cow rearing. Subsequent phases will involve equipment installation, laboratory setup, and instructor recruitment, all with an additional allocation of Rs 245 crore. The proposal for this grant has been submitted and is expected to receive government approval, after which the tendering process will commence.

Recruitment for teaching and non-teaching staff positions at the college has already begun. A total of 175 positions are being sought, of which the government has sanctioned 57 posts, comprising 25 teaching roles, 15 non-teaching positions, and 17 officer roles. These appointments are necessary for the college to meet the requirements set by the Veterinary Council of India (VCI) in Delhi before initiating courses and student enrollment.

The upcoming college in Koila will mark the seventh veterinary college in Karnataka, following the announcement made by former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda in the 2012-13 budget. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah laid the foundation stone in 2016. However, due to delays, the first phase of construction, initially set for completion in 2018, was inaugurated in April 2023.

Local residents have expressed concerns over the quality of work in the first phase, claiming that it was carried out at a slow pace, leading to issues such as leaking concrete roofs. They have requested a quality assessment before the handover of the building. The college aims to ensure it meets all the requirements of the Veterinary Council of India (VCI) before admitting students and is on track to complete all work by the end of 2024.

Dr. L. Ranganath, Special Duty Officer, Koila Veterinary Medical College, confirmed the completion of the first phase and the upcoming work schedule, assuring that the college is committed to adhering to VCI norms and will be ready to admit students soon.