A 'Total Bandh' called by the Talcher Bar Association demanding early setting up of a medical college at Talcher severely hit coal production and transportation of the MCl on Tuesday. Works at almost all the offices, markets and transportation services were disrupted due to the ' bandh.
On July15, the Talcher Suraksha Mancha had also organised an ‘Economic Blockade' in demand of early establishment of a medical college.
A high-level meeting was held on July 25 under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, where it was decided that college and hospital work would be started by the MCl before coming August15. Among others the meeting was attended by Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi, Dhenkanal MP Tathagata Satpathy, Talcher MlA BK Pradhan and MCl CMD AN Sahay.
The State Government has inked an MoU with the MCl for setting up a 100-seat medical college and 500-bed hospital at Talcher. The MCl would spend Rs 400 crore for the project.