The Union Budget of 2026-2027 announced the setting up of another National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) modelled on the existing NIMHANS in Bengaluru. The state government allotted Rs 100 crore to construct the NIMHANS model hospital to ease the burden of cases from Mysuru and ensure timely, quality and advanced treatment. The project is expected to strengthen Mysuru’s public healthcare infrastructure by providing premier medical facilities to not only residents of Mysuru but neighbouring districts as well.
For the first phase, a G+5 building along with a de-addiction centre, blood bank and laboratory, rehabilitation centre was to be constructed. But the construction of the NIMHANS model hospital and de-addiction centre, under Mysuru Medical College and Research Institute, has not taken off yet. It has been two months since the work order was issued, and the tender process has also been completed. The reason behind the delay is protests by local farmers’ leaders and environmentalists. They have been demonstrating on the 20-acre land for nearly 90 days now!
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Why The Potest?
The reason for the protest is the land where the project is planned. The land is located in Gudumadanahalli in Mysuru district under Varuna assembly constituency, represented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. According to the protesters, farmers in Gudumadanahalli have been cultivating this land for the past 40 to 50 years. They expressed anger over the administration’s decision to use this cultivable land for a hospital despite repeated appeals to consider alternative sites. The tahsildar of Mysuru stated that it is a government land which was encroached and evicted, which is why farmers are not given any compensation or alternative land.
On 5 April, at around 4 am, when authorities began groundwork using heavy machines under tight police security, protesting farmers gathered at the site, stopped the work and forced the machines to be withdrawn. They said that the land is fertile and should not be used for a hospital. They demanded that the project be shifted to the available government land in Vajamangala, which is unfit for agriculture.
Several farmers participated in the protest, including district general secretary P Marankayya, state women’s wing general secretary Netravathi, Mysuru taluk president Anandur Prabhakar, general secretary Mandakalli Mahesha and several other members.
Read More: NIMHANS 2.0 Gets a Slot in The 2026 Budget
Main Demands Behind the Protest
- The project must be shifted to alternative land or the available land in Vajamangala.
- The district administration and government must hold a meeting to hear their grievances
- Construction must remain suspended until the meeting is done.
References +
Shilpa P, & Shilpa P. (2026, May 1). Two months after the work order, construction of Mysuru’s NIMHANS-model hospital has not begun. Deccan Herald. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/mysuru/two-months-since-work-order-construction-of-mysurus-nimhans-model-hospital-does-not-begin-3987447?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=socialshare
Tnn. (2026, April 7). Farmers halt Nimhans’ work in Gudumadanahalli village over land allotment row. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysuru/farmers-halt-nimhans-work-in-gudumadanahalli-village-over-land-allotment-row/articleshow/130093547.cms
The Hindu Bureau. (2026a, January 20). NIMHANS-type healthcare facility to come up in Mysuru. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/nimhans-type-healthcare-facility-to-come-up-in-mysuru/article70525763.ece
Advancing India’s Mental Healthcare and Well-Being. (n.d.). https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2226319®=6&lang=1
