Talcher (Odisha): Work for the proposed medical college being set up by Mahanadi Coal Fields Limited (MCL) here would commence soon, Union Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal said today.

Jaiswal while discussing the matter during his visit here had asked the MCL authorities to take up the issue with the state government for land acquisition.

MCL is a subsidiary of the central PSU Coal India Limited (CIL).

The Centre had earmarked Rs 400 crore in the current budget for the purpose, the Union minister said adding the Nehru Satabdi Hospital here would also be upgraded to a 500-bed hospital soon from the existing 150-beds and would be attached to the proposed medical college.