A ray of
hope has been seen in the matter of the proposed medical college and hospital
at Balangir. As per the reports, the centre has lately intervened in to the
issue and given fresh nod to complete this long-awaited project along with 3
other medical colleges.
Popular
discussion on the proposed medical College in Balangir is that the political
parties and bodies actually don’t want the project, rather they just crave to
gain political mileage out of the issue, telling big about it.
The said
project started in 1999 and the foundation stone was laid at the spot in
Gandhrel on November 27, 1999 by then Union minister Sharad Yadav when Giridhar
Gamang was the Chief Minister and Narasingh Mishra was the chairman of the
WODC.
After the
plinth, pillars were erected there meant for the administrative building but the project was abruptly stopped in 2004.Chief
Minister Naveen Patnaik again laid the foundation stone for the project in 2004
but no progress has been seen so far.
In the mean
while the state government has reportedly tried to engage a private party to
take up the project and signed MoUs with at least four numbers of
companies/Trusts one after another, but in vain.
On the other
hand, the place has turned in to a safe heave for petty crimes. A number of
criminal activities have been reported in that uncompleted edifice in these
years.
However,
recently Centre has reportedly asked the State Government to identify land at
four places in the State in Balangir, Baripada, Balasore and Koraput for
setting up of medical colleges and hospitals there. It is further reported that
while the State Government’s contribution will be 25 per cent of the required
fund, the Centre will provide 75 per cent of the funds to complete the project.
For
Balangir, the State Government has reportedly identified the same land where
the medical college and hospital was started by the WODC. However, time will say whether the
development is just part of the election assurances, or is a reality.
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