Bhubaneswar: In a major impetus to Odisha’s public health infrastructure, the state Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Tuesday approved ‘Ama Hospital’, an ambitious 5initiative aimed at strengthening government-run hospitals, with an allocation of Rs 3,388.73 crore for five years: 2023-24 to 2027-28. Under Ama Hospital, as many as 1858 healthcare facilities, including CHCs and UPHCs, in the state will have upgraded facilities in a phased manner. “Aahar centres, Mission Shakti cafes, online registration system, digital display boards, more drug distribution counters and hygienic toilets are among the facilities which will be provided under Ama Hospital,”
Chief Secretary PK Jena said, adding that 149 public health facilities will be developed in the first year. The proposal is among 12 others which received Cabinet nod. The Cabinet also cleared the proposal for the construction of 26-kilometre rail infrastructure between Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) and Trisulia Square in Cuttack, under Phase I of the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project at a cost of Rs 5,929.38 crore.
Jena said the Cabinet also decided that the project will be constructed by Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation Limited in collaboration with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRCL). The cost included taxes and the fee of DMRCL (turnkey consultant) which is fixed at Rs 326.56 crore, he said. These apart, the Cabinet also approved proposals for two drinking water projects in Bolangir. “With an allocation of Rs 307.88 crore, the projects would benefit over 94,000 people of 116 villages in 20 panchayats of Saintala,” Jena said, adding that the projects would be completed within two years.
The Cabinet approved the proposal for Ring Road in Berhampur with an allocation of Rs 156.51 crore. The Ring Road would help develop Berhampur, Chhatrapur and Gopalpur. The project will be completed within 24 months. In another key decision, the Cabinet decided to amend a law to allow people belonging to ST to sell their land to non-tribals in scheduled areas, with permission from the state government.