Chief secretary takes stock of Kandhamal medical college

BHUBANESWAR: Chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra on Sunday reviewed the status of the construction of the medical college and hospital at Phulbani and directed the works department officials to ensure its completion before schedule.
Mohapatra, along with senior officials of the Kandhamal district administration, visited the site to take stock of the situation. The project is aimed at catering to the healthcare needs of the people in the tribal-dominated districts and to improve the medical education system in the state.
Officials said the state government has sanctioned Rs 450 crore for the construction of the 100-seater medical college and an equal amount for a 500-bed teaching hospital.Infrastructure giant Shapoorji Pallonji has been implementing the project.
During his two-day visit to the district that started on Saturday, the chief secretary also took stock of other developmental initiatives like establishment of grid stations and strengthening of the power supply infrastructure as well as drinking water projects and smart classroom projects taken up under the 5T initiative. He held meetings with senior district officials and directed them to ensure the completion of all the projects within schedule.
As Kandhamal has a huge eco-tourism potential, the chief secretary said the government is taking steps to attract tourists to the district by developing tourist spots. Mohapatra said the Eco Retreat, a glamping festival organized by the state tourism department, will be held at Daringbadi in Kandhamal for the next five years to attract tourists.