There will be upgradation of infrastructure, modernization of equipment and augmenting the manpower of the institute.

'The institute will also help in developing a network of public health institutions and improving diagnostic capabilities for emerging and re-emerging infections.

'The NCDC will modernize research for disease control, develop Epidemic Intelligence Services (EIS) for prompt response to disease outbreaks and develop disease outbreak forecasting models,' Azad said.

The minister said all these tasks are essential as India faces a peculiar dilemma of having to combat 'triple burden of the diseases'. While there is an unfinished agenda of dealing effectively with common communicable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, there is increasing problem of emerging infectious diseases.

'Over two dozen new disease causing agents have emerged in the preceding three decades.

'Public health services is comparable to a marathon race rather than a sprint. I am sure with persistent and painstaking efforts, we can strengthen our system even further which will enable us to address the emerging issues more scientifically, rationally and promptly.'