Going by the pace at which it is being constructed,the Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar (IITBBS) might take another five years to be ready. Five years after it moved from the mentor institute IIT-Kharagpur to the ad hoc facilities in the Capital, much remains to be achieved and in many aspects.
The institute seems to have missed many milestones and its campus establishment work is moving at a snail’s pace. Going by its status, just about 40 per cent of the work is expected to be complete by end of the financial year.
The Ministry of Human Resources Development (MoHRD) had approved of the IIT in July 2008 and foundation stone at Arugul, near Jatni, was laid in February 2009.
As of now, work for an 800-seat boys and 200-seat girls hostel is underway. Similarly, guest house and 30 staff quarters are also under construction. All this work is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2014.
Interestingly, work for Administrative as well as Academic Buildings has not gone beyond ground level. Construction of faculty quarters too have not started in full swing. As per the original timeline, the campus was targeted to be ready by 2012.
The IITBBS authorities have been lackadaisical in their approach. Sources in the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) said that the institute has taken plan approval for just 1.27 lakh sq meter out of the total 2.21 lakh sq meter.
“Ideally, plan approval for the entire set of buildings is secured before commencement of work because the process is time consuming. Why have the IITBBS authorities decided to seek approval in stages is best known to them,” the sources added. Similarly, environmental clearance too has been sought for the 1.27 lakh sq meter.
The matter also came up during a review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary JK Mohapatra here on Saturday.
The State Government wanted to know from the IITBBS top bosses what has been the progress of work over the 518 acre government land which was handed over in 2009. However, no satisfactory response could be given to it.
The State Government, also, has been slow in its response to provide certain amenities. Electricity and water supply are yet to be completed. Approach road construction remains incomplete as acquisition of about 4.73 acre land in three villages has not been resolved.
Delay in land acquisition has also affected connecting of the road to the fly-over and people use the IIT campus as thoroughfare.
As per the original approval, IIT-BBS was to increase its student intake every year since 2008-09 when it started to operate from IIT-Kharagpur which mentored the new institute.
As against the target of reaching a student strength of 2,360, the institute has managed to admit about 770 students by 2013-14.
The problem is, even if it managed to enhance its intake strength, there would be no space for the students in the hostels.
THE PICTURE
■ Work for Administrative as well as Academic Buildings has not gone beyond ground level
■ As per the original timeline, the campus was targeted to be ready by 2012
■ State Government, also, has been slow in its response to provide certain amenities
■ Delay in land acquisition has also affected connecting of the road to the fly-over and people use the IIT campus as thoroughfare
■ IITBBS has managed to admit about 770 students by 2013-14