By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, November 16, 2016 : Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of a medical college at Bhangabari in backward Kalahandi district.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Patnaik thanked the Vedanta Foundation for the financial support in infrastructure development of the college and added that the college would help improve the healthcare standards in the district.

“We are working towards bringing Kalahandi at par with other districts of the state. My government is working sincerely for the backward regions and poor people. We have asked the Union Government for special funding for the development of tribal areas,” Patnaik said.

Sharing the project timeline, Naveen added that the construction at the site that began today would be completed by 2017-18.

Patnaik also inaugurated a slew of other projects including enhanced water supply facility from Hati river to Bhawanipatna town that is intended to benefit 80,000 people, 33/11 KV grid sub-station near Kusa Dangri of Bhawanipatna, three mini stadiums at Dasi Gaon of Junagarh block, Utkella of Kesinga block and at Kesinga NAC and two girls hostels at Parmandpur and Kusurla for vocational training.

The chief minister also laid the foundation stones for a 300-seat boys and girls’ hostel at Bhawanipatna Autonomous Government College, construction of a new town hall and 26 lift irrigation projects at Narla, M Rampur and Karlamunda blocks among others.