Balasore, June 3: The state government has asked the district administration to identify land for setting up of a medical college and hospital here.

The government specified that the land should not measure less than 20 acres and should be located within 10km radius of the district headquarters.

“We have identified a 22-acre patch at Srikrishnapur and sent the report to the government,” said district collector Ranjit Mohanty.

A committee consisting of chief district medical officer, additional district magistrate, local tehsildar and representatives of the National Rural Health Mission has selected the patch, he said.

The identified land at Srikrishna mouza in Remuna tehsil is located within 7km from the district headquarters. It is the most suitable,” said tehsildar Manas Padhi.

For the past nine years, an action committee has been spearheading an agitation demanding a government medical college and hospital in Balasore. The committee claimed that it was the most suitable destination for such a medical institute. The state government has now chosen Balasore district for setting up a medical college and hospital.