THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR/NABARANGPUR, FEBRUARY 13, 2026
“No district will remain far from development merely because it is
distant from the state capital,” Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on
Friday while laying the foundation stone for a new government medical college
in Nabarangpur and launching the ‘Shree Jagannath Darshan’ scheme. He
emphasised that equitable growth, quality healthcare and spiritual access for
the poor are central to the state government’s vision.
The proposed medical college and hospital will be established at
Patalguda over more than 50 acres with 100 MBBS seats and 420 beds, ensuring
advanced healthcare services within the district so that residents no longer
need to travel outside for treatment. The Chief Minister said the project
reflects the government’s commitment to improving medical infrastructure and
addressing the shortage of doctors across Odisha.
Highlighting the government’s rapid progress, Majhi noted that within
just 20 months of coming to power, three new medical colleges have become
functional in Jajpur, Kandhamal and Talcher. With the Nabarangpur project now
underway, medical colleges will soon be established in Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur
and Bhadrak as well, strengthening healthcare access across the state.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated and laid the
foundation for 177 development projects worth over ₹446 crore
for Nabarangpur district. These include initiatives in education, healthcare,
roads, bridges, hostels, anganwadi
centres and forest protection committees, which he said will accelerate the
district’s overall development and improve livelihoods.
Launching the ‘Shree Jagannath Darshan’ scheme, Majhi said Lord Jagannath
belongs to the entire world and every Odia should have the opportunity to have
darshan at least once in life with dignity. The scheme aims to enable
economically weaker senior citizens aged 60–75 and widows to travel to Puri in
AC buses with accommodation and Mahaprasad arrangements. Around 500 pilgrims
from five districts — Nabarangpur, Bhadrak, Baripada, Sambalpur and Berhampur —
began their journey under the programme, which targets 5,000 beneficiaries this
year and more than one lakh over the next four years.
The Chief Minister said his tenure would be meaningful only when the
poorest devotee can look into the eyes of Lord Jagannath without barriers and
return with tears of devotion and satisfaction. He also distributed kit bags to
beneficiaries of the scheme and extended assistance to construction workers and
social security beneficiaries.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida described the pilgrimage initiative
as the Chief Minister’s dream project and said the new medical college would
serve as a lifeline for the district.
Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling stated that Odisha had only three
government medical colleges three decades ago, but the government is now moving
towards opening new colleges as per district needs to ensure quality healthcare
and reduce the doctor shortage.
ST & SC Development and School & Mass Education Minister
Nityananda Gond thanked the Chief Minister on behalf of the people of
Nabarangpur for fulfilling a long-pending demand within a short span, noting
that development in education, connectivity and agriculture is also gaining
momentum under the current leadership.
Several MPs, MLAs and senior officials attended the programme, while
ministers and legislators from other districts joined virtually.
