Utkal varsity’s second campus: Odisha to start new courses, classes from this year

Bhubaneswar: In view of delay in constructing the second campus of Odisha’s premier educational institution Utkal University in Jajpur district, the government decided to start new courses and classes temporarily at B.B College in Chandikhole from this academic session.

The move came at a meeting chaired by government Chief Whip Amar Prasad Satpathy, who also represents Badachana assembly constituency, here on Thursday.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will be urged to inaugurate the classes to be held at the temporary campus in 2018-19 academic session, said Satpathy.

The master plan, building plan and architectural design will be finalised by January 31. The tender will be invited by end of February and the construction of second campus at Siha in Badachana area in Jajpur district will begin by April 15, sources in the Higher Education department said.

The state government has allocated Rs 24,97,70,900 in 2017-18 fiscal for the second campus of the university, out of which Rs 10,67,39,500 has been provided for the construction of infrastructure. In initial phase, the plan has been prepared for building the academic block, administrative building and hostels for the students, he said.

However, the ancillary expenses to be made for the temporary campus at B.B College in Chandikhole will be provided after approval by the government, he added.

The design of the second campus building will be finalised at the university’s Syndicate meeting. Various technical committees on the education will be formed after getting approval from the University Vice Chancellor Prof. Soumendra Mohan Patnaik.

Notably, the government has identified 66.30 acre in Siha panchayat, 12 km away from Chandikhole.

Read: Odisha’s Utkal University to get second campus in Chandikhole

Earlier, CM Patnaik had announced the second campus of the university during foundation day ceremony of the students’ union three years ago.