AIIMS and Vardhman Mahavir Medical College implemented the quota at one go last year. Lady Hardinge, however, could not go ahead with the quota due to the lack of infrastructure. College authorities then presented a proposal for expansion, which will come up for approval in the Union Cabinet on Thursday.

Lady Hardinge increased seats from 130 to 150 last year. The proposal that will be put before the Cabinet concerns a further increase in intake capacity, which the authorities said would happen in a phased manner, at a cost of Rs 387 crore.

“While, we have got the consent from the finance ministry, we are keeping our fingers crossed, as the matter is likely to come up before the Cabinet,” a senior doctor in the college said.

After the Supreme Court ordered the implementation of the OBC quota in various institutions last year, the Health ministry held a meeting and decided to give the institutions two years’ time to implement it.

Among the 12 medical institutions under the government, AIIMS and Vardhman Mahavir Medical College implemented the quota last year itself, with Vardhman Mahavir increasing seats from 100 to 154 and AIIMS increasing its 50 MBBS seats to 77.

Authorities at Lady Hardinge said the college, established in 1916, needed the extension of emergency services; an increase in the number of beds, resident doctors’ accommodation and all-round re-development.