Difficult landing for IIT in Bihar

DELHI, MAY 22: Barely two months before the three new Indian Institutes of Technology-in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan-are expected to begin classes, the one proposed in Bihar still doesn’t have a permanent campus. After months of confusion, the site proposed by the Bihar Government at Bihta, about 40 kms from Patna, has been rejected after experts from IIT-Roorkee found the site had “poor hydrological conditions”.

And to add to the state government’s discomfort, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has neither suggested an alternative site nor has it approved the temporary facilities, where classes for the new batch are expected to be held before the permanent campus comes up.

The state’s Science and Technology Department had identified the Polytechnic in Patna for the makeshift IIT campus. The Polytechnic has two hostels and a new building, which can accommodate around 200 students.

“Initially, there were problems with the original site, but we have suggested another one along with the site we have identified as a makeshift campus. Proposals have been sent in this regard. We are yet to hear from the MHRD on these,” Alok Bardhan Chaturvedi, principal secretary, Science and Technology, said.

According to Chaturvedi, the alternative site, as proposed by the state Government, has the full approval of experts from IIT-Roorkee. The proposed 500-acre site was earlier earmarked for a knowledge park, and the state Government has offered another 300 acres of land to the MHRD for the new IIT.

But despite the state Government’s efforts, sources claim the delay from the MHRD on the proposed site is a result of political wrangles between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who is keen on placing the IIT closer to the state capital and Railway Minister Lalu Yadav who has expressed his desire to shift it to his constituency Chhapra.

“There are two other centres of political power. They want the proposed IIT to shift to either Chapra or Gopalganj,” government sources said. Officials, however, maintain that Patna would be the ideal location for an IIT as it is well connected by train and air.