Bargarh, Jan 21: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced establishment of a cancer hospital at Bargarh during his visit to Western Odisha. Establishment of cancer hospital was a long standing public demand as the incidence of the killer disease is very high in the district.

Naveen made the announcement while inaugurating the newly-constructed district headquarter hospital and a science park in the town. The district headquarter hospital will have 425 beds.

The chief minister today inaugurated seven projects worth Rs 70.64 crore in Bargarh and laid foundation stone of 22 projects to be set up at an estimated cost of Rs 59.44 crore.

Later, Naveen visited Samaleswari temple at Sambalpur and paid obeisance to the Goddess. Developmental works will be undertaken at Samaleswai temple and Hirakud dam after visit of a team of experts, he announced.