Palampur (Himachal Pradesh), July 23 (IANS) A 200-bedded hospital, the dream project of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vice president Shanta Kumar, was inaugurated here Monday.

The multi-specialty medical college and research institute, set up by the Vivekanand Memorial Research Trust (VMRT) headed by Shanta Kumar, was opened by Swami Subodhanand, regional head of the Chinmaya Mission.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said the hospital was constructed in association with Jaiprakash Sewa Sansthan (JSS), a charitable group of infrastructure conglomerate Jaiprakash Associates Ltd.

He said the government had extended all possible help for development of the hospital complex and roped in not-for-profit trust.

The chief minister said that the government was strengthening the health infrastructure by associating private players in medical field.

Shanta Kumar thanked the chief minister for extending help to the VMRT in completing the project. He said the medical and nursing colleges of the institute would start working soon.