The Chamarajanagar district administration is set to transform the Kollegala subdivision hospital into a full-fledged district hospital. Following Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s approval during a special cabinet meeting atop MM Hills on April 24, the facility will soon feature super-speciality care, including trauma services and three advanced operation theatres. The bed strength will increase from 150 to 250.

While Chamarajanagar already houses a 350-bed district hospital on B Rachaiah Road, public demand and backing from local legislators have led to this additional upgrade. The existing district hospital has been integrated with the Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) and now operates as a secondary referral center, supporting peripheral healthcare units.

The upgraded Kollegala hospital will mainly serve the border taluks of Hanur, Kollegala, and Yelandur, which lie near Tamil Nadu. It will also aid devotees visiting the MM Hills temple in Hanur. The hospital will offer multi-speciality care in general medicine, surgery, and orthopaedics, along with an ICU, VIP and special wards, dialysis unit, 4–6 laboratories, and improved accessibility features such as ramps and wheelchair support.

Facilities like a physiotherapy wing, blood collection unit, outpatient section, and labour wards are also planned. Many tribal communities in forest-covered regions like MM Hills struggle during emergencies due to long distances to major hospitals. “This new hospital will be a lifeline,” said Madegowda of the Soliga Tribal Welfare Association.