Odisha CM Inaugurates Phulbani Medical College, Unveils ₹750-Crore Development Package for Kandhamal

Phulbani: Bringing a long-awaited dream to life for the people of Kandhamal, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday inaugurated a 100-seat government medical college and a 650-bed hospital in Phulbani. The move marks a significant milestone in improving healthcare access and medical education in the tribal heartland of Odisha.

The new institution is expected to serve not only Kandhamal but also neighboring districts like Boudh, Nayagarh, and Kalahandi, emerging as a key hub for healthcare and learning in the region. “This is not just an institution—it’s a turning point in Odisha’s healthcare journey,” Majhi said while addressing a large gathering.

In addition to the medical facility, the Chief Minister rolled out a slew of developmental initiatives worth nearly ₹750 crore. He inaugurated five completed projects valued at ₹655 crore and laid the foundation for five others totaling ₹94 crore. These projects span critical sectors such as rural drinking water supply, education, tourism, roads, healthcare, and women-led community markets under Mission Shakti.

Highlighting the state’s renewed commitment to health reforms, Majhi announced the integration of Odisha with the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which had previously been withheld for political reasons. Now aligned with the state’s Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, the scheme offers free treatment to 3.5 crore residents at over 29,000 empaneled private hospitals nationwide. He also emphasized that more than 80% of the population would benefit from this along with the Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme.

Majhi took a pointed dig at the previous government, accusing it of neglecting healthcare for 24 years “in the name of world-class services.” He assured that the state is on track to fill medical vacancies, backed by a record ₹23,635 crore health budget — the highest allocation in Odisha’s history, making up 8.2% of the total state expenditure. “Within a year, Odisha will not face a doctor shortage,” he declared.

Tourism development also received a boost with the announcement of ₹18 crore for promoting Daringbadi — often called the “Kashmir of Odisha.” Work has already started on developing the scenic Putudi Waterfall, with ₹4.5 crore sanctioned for the project. Majhi noted that such efforts are part of a broader strategy to make Kandhamal an attractive destination for both tourism and industry.

The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s focus on tribal empowerment, pointing out that 54% of Kandhamal’s population belongs to tribal communities. Over the past six months alone, more than 20,000 land titles have been distributed under the Forest Rights Act. Majhi assured that no family owning less than three decimals of land will be left out, as the state works to eliminate landlessness.

Looking to the future, Majhi laid out an ambitious vision of a “prosperous Odisha by 2036,” aligned with national goals for a developed India by 2047. The roadmap, he said, emphasizes inclusive growth, robust infrastructure, industrial expansion, and upliftment of marginalized communities.