Baripada, June 9 (UDN): Baripada and the wider Mayurbhanj district received a major development push on Monday as Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 39 projects worth over Rs 430 crore during his visit to the district.
A key highlight of the visit was the inauguration of a new 650-bed teaching hospital at Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital, built at a cost of nearly Rs 258 crore. The facility is expected to emerge as a major referral centre for northern Odisha and significantly strengthen healthcare services across the region.
Equipped with modern medical facilities, advanced diagnostic services, specialist departments and emergency care infrastructure, the hospital is expected to benefit not only residents of Mayurbhanj but also patients from neighbouring districts, tribal areas and adjoining states, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.
As part of the broader development package, foundation stones were laid for projects worth more than Rs 282 crore, while projects valued at over Rs 149 crore were inaugurated. Among them were 83 drinking water projects constructed at an investment of nearly Rs 100 crore, aimed at addressing long-standing water supply issues and improving the quality of life for thousands of residents.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Majhi said the State government remains committed to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring quality medical services are available closer to people’s homes. He noted that the new hospital would reduce the need for patients to travel to distant cities for specialised treatment, easing both financial and physical burdens on families.
“In the field of healthcare, this Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital of Baripada will certainly serve as an example for North Odisha, for this region, and also for other states. Along with this, we have laid today the foundation stone and initiated several projects worth around Rs 431 crore in Baripada and the eastern region of Mayurbhanj district,” the Chief Minister said.
During his visit, Majhi also interacted with medical students and emphasised the importance of compassionate healthcare, saying service to the poor, tribal communities and people in need remains the true essence of the medical profession.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the newly launched projects would accelerate Mayurbhanj’s growth and contribute significantly to the overall progress of northern Odisha.