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NAGPUR: Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Monday assured city MP Vilas Muttemwar that a plan to set up a modern cancer hospital will be taken up with the Centre within a week. Similarly, the Union government's intervention will be sought in the Nag-Pili rivers' conservation plan at a cost of Rs 118 crore.At Muttemwar's instance, Chavan convened a special meeting in Mumbai to review city's pending projects. The two-hour meeting was attended by top bureaucrats from Mantralaya, Nagpur divisional commissioner B Gopal Reddy, city municipal commissioner Shyam Wardhane, NIT chairman Pravin Darade and district collector Saurabh Rao. Minister of state for finance and planning Rajendra Mulak, Nagpur South MLA Dinanath Padole and opposition leader in NMC Vikas Thakre were also present in the meeting in which hurdles in the completion of Mihan, IGMC modernization and proposals for an international convention centre, metro rail project were discussed in detail.Expressing concern over the contamination of Gosikhurd waters by the sewage-laden Nag river, Chavan said he would present a Rs 118 crore plan for rejuvenation of Nag and Pili rivers under a Union government plan for conservation of rivers. When Muttemwar sought state government's help for the setting up of a modern cancer hospital, Chavan said as per his earlier announcement, made during the winter session of the legislature, he would avail of the Central plan for a national grid of cancer treatment centres to set up a large, well-equipped cancer hospital in the city.

Chavan said that the medical education department has been asked to expedite release of Rs 460 crore sanctioned for the modernization of IGMC hospital, which is to be executed on a built-operate and transfer basis. On Mihan, Chavan assured that the rehabilitation of the oustees would be completed by March 31 as alternative land is being made available to eligible project affected persons. During the same period, acquisition of remaining land for the ambitious Mihan project would be completed and also the construction of the taxiway to connect the two runways will be taken up on top priority, said Chavan.

Chavan also assured to take up Muttemwar's demand for de-reservation of land on which unauthorized layouts have come up. Also the issue of ULC land acquired for Mihan project will be cleared soon. Developing Ajni railway station as a model one was also discussed. Muttemwar also pushed the proposal to shift central jail from its Wardha Road location to a new place outside the city and make use of the land for the central station of the proposed metro rail project.

He also urged the CM to ensure that underground rail lines are laid for metro in congested areas like Sitabuldi so that there is minimum displacement of people there. Chavan have also assured to consider the proposal for the beautification and development of Tajabad, a pilgrim centre in the city and have asked the local authorities to draw up a Rs 100 crore plan for it.