Keonjhar, March 1: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today announced that the state government would set up a medical college in the district.

"Respecting the long-standing demand of the people of Keonjhar district, the state government has decided to set up a new medical college in the district at a cost of Rs 500 crore. This, I hope, will provide quality health care to the people, especially the tribals," said the chief minister while addressing a public meeting during his visit to the district today.

The medical college will be set up over and above the one under-construction in the district in public-private partnership mode.

New Delhi-based Sahyog Foundation of India is executing a medical college project in the district in the PPP mode. The state government has allotted 20 acres free of cost and also provided some grant. However, the project has not made much progress.

The chief minister also announced construction of a flyover in Joda town to ease traffic congestion. Naveen also launched a housing scheme for the poor villagers in mining areas of the district and handed over work orders to more than 13,563 beneficiaries. He also distributed financial assistance of Rs 27.04 lakh to 2,644 construction workers and bonus to kendu leaf pluckers.

He also inaugurated 17 welfare projects built for Rs 35.03 crore and laid foundation stones of nine projects for Rs 110 crore. The inaugurated projects included 13 hostels for tribal students for Rs 17.75 crore. Besides, a kalyan mandap built for Rs 4 crore was inaugurated at Joda. A piped water supply project set up for Rs 5.5 crore and town hall for Rs 2.59 crore were also declared open at Champua town, which has elected BJD councillors with thumping majority.

He also inaugurated additional classrooms and laboratory of the Odisha School of Mining built for Rs 6.13 crore.

He also laid foundation stones for three bridges for Rs 17.54 crore to help more than 1.60 lakh people of 30 gram panchayats. Foundation stones for two rail overbridges for Rs 50 crore and three embankment projects for Rs 43 crore were also laid.