A state-of-the-art cancer hospital will come up on the campus of the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar. The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 650 crore, is a collaboration of Tata Trust and the department of atomic energy.

Of the total project cost, the department of atomic energy will contribute Rs 400 crore and the rest will come from the Tata Trust that will undertake the construction of the hospital and allied infrastructure.

On the completion of the construction of the hospital, it will be handed over to the Government of India. It is expected that the hospital will be completed in the next three years.

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted, “Together with Dr Jitendra Singhji, Aparajita Sarangi and senior officials of MSDE (Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship) Skill India and Department of Atomic Energy held a meeting for the establishment of a state-of-the arte cancer hospital at NISER, Bhubaneswar Campus.”.

Jitendra Singh is heading the ministry of state for science and technology and his concurrence was instrumental in setting up the cancer hospital. For the hospital construction, 17 acres of land has already been allotted. The MSDE is also providing an additional 10 acres of land for the project.

A skill development centre will also come up at NISER to cater to the skilling requirements of medical professionals at the cancer hospital.

“In line with the Prime Minister’s vision the cancer care hospital and skill development centre at NISER will strengthen treatment facilities, scale up the competencies of health professionals and initiate high-quality research to meet emerging requirements in the field of oncology,” said officials.

Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi tweeted, “It is like a dream come true. Was very keen on a cancer hospital — a hub of Tata Memorial — at NISER campus in Bhubaneswar. Had met Minister Dr Jitendra Singh in Feb, 2020. Closely followed up on this.”

Tata Trust had inked an MoU with the Odisha government in 2018 to set up a cancer hospital at Bhubaneswar. It will be similar to the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. Tata Trust alone will invest Rs 800 crore in the project.