Not much progress on establishing a medical college in Rourkela
November 19th, 2007
Following is an excerpt from a report in New Indian Express.
The proposed medical college on PPP (public private participation) mode at Rourkela continues to be an election promise. In 2004, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced about it at a pre-poll rally.
Still there is no headway in the project as the government allegedly continues with its dillydallying attitude under the plea that the proposed site is disputed.
In the face of intense public pressure, while Rourkela BJD MLA S P Nayak assured to expedite the issue, a demand has gained ground that the proposed medical college and hospital be attached to the Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH).
Reliable sources said earlier the project got delayed for two years as a clause made it mandatory for the private partner to accept the proposals for Rourkela and Balangir simultaneously.
After much persuasion one GSL Trust came forward to be the partner but later made a quiet exit. The 650-bed medical college and hospital envisages to have 150 medical seats in the initial year.
The project requires a minimum capital investment of Rs 100 crore. While the Western Orissa Development Council (WODC) will arrange 25 acre cost-free land and Rs 10 crore, the rest fund would be raised through private participation.
Wasting much time in locating land, the WODC finally decided to use the surplus land of RGH. But, the local displaced persons staked claims on proposed site in court. A high-power committee is now looking into the project.
Entry Filed under: Rourkela-Rajgangpur area (2),WODC private medical colleges
1 Writeup
1. sambit nayak | December 21st, 2007 at 1:49 am
I think it was a poll promise only and nothing is gonna come up here. The government still continues its apathies and step motherly treatment towards Rourkela. Apart from NIT (established long ago) not a single institute of national or even state wide repute has come up here.
BPUT seems a far cry. Still functioning from BBSR. All new institutes like IIIT, NISER pvt medical colleges are opening up in BBSR/CTC/Puri area.
If central govt agrees fro an IIT/IIM it will also come up in that area only. Its like the way central govt is behaving Orissa, same is the case with Orissa govt behaviour towards Rourkela.