CM Majhi Unveils 650-Bed Medical College in Koraput, Pledges Stronger Healthcare Network for South Odisha

By Surya Narayan Panda

KORAPUT (Odisha), Aug. 11: In a major step towards strengthening healthcare in South Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday inaugurated the new Shaheed Laxman Naik Medical College building in Koraput — a 650-bed facility built at a cost of ₹280 crore.

The state-of-the-art medical college, equipped with modern diagnostic and treatment facilities, is expected to become a regional hub for specialised care, catering to patients from Koraput and neighbouring tribal districts.

Declaring the project a “cornerstone” of his government’s healthcare vision, Majhi assured that people in the region would no longer need to travel hundreds of kilometres for advanced treatment.

“From now on, the people of Koraput will get timely medical care right here,” The CM said, addressing a large gathering at the inauguration. “We will expedite the recruitment of doctors, nurses, and other medical staff so that the hospital runs at full capacity without delay.”

Majhi emphasised that decentralising healthcare services by setting up high-quality institutions in rural and tribal areas is crucial to improving health outcomes and reducing patient hardship.

As part of this broader plan, the Chief Minister announced the establishment of new medical colleges in Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, and Nabarangpur, creating a statewide network of training and treatment centres.

Linking healthcare growth with infrastructure development, Majhi also unveiled plans to upgrade the Jeypore–Brahmapur–Bhubaneswar economic corridor into a six-lane highway. The improved road connectivity, he noted, would ease patient mobility and stimulate economic activity across the region.

“The Koraput project is not just about constructing a building,” Majhi said. “It is a pledge — to bridge healthcare gaps in South Odisha, empower communities with access to quality services, and restore public confidence in our state’s health system.”

The inauguration was attended by senior state officials, healthcare professionals, and community leaders, who hailed the project as a turning point for medical services in one of Odisha’s most underserved regions.