BHUBANESWAR: The construction of the proposed Odia University at Satyabadi in Puri is expected to start soon as the Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation Limited (OBCC), which comes under the state works department, has already prepared the estimated expenditure for the same.
Officials said more than Rs 60 crore will be spent in two phases on the construction of the much-awaited varsity.
“The estimate has been prepared with the help of a New Delhi-based consultant.
It will be submitted to the state higher education department in a day or two for approval.
Once it is approved, we will start the first phase of the construction work,” a senior government official said.
Though chief minister Naveen Patnaik had laid foundation for the Odia University on October 9, 2018 on the birth anniversary of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, no progress was made all these years.
After inordinate delay, the OBCC was assigned to take up the project.
The officials said the architectural plan and design of the university would reflect the principles of Satyabadi Bana Vidyalaya, established by the famous Panchasakha of Pandit Gopabandhu Das, Acharya Harihar Das, Pandit Nilakantha Das, Krupasindhu Mishra and Godavarish Mishra.
It instilled the values of patriotism, service to mankind and nationalism in students during the pre-independence period.
The officials further said traditional building materials in building construction and other infrastructure will be used to the maximum extent possible.
Naveen had approved the initial architectural plan of the project in February.
Though it was first planned to develop the university over 25 acres of land, the state government has already acquired around 10 acres near Satyabadi to start the construction.
In the first phase, infrastructure like classrooms for five schools of learning, separate hostels for boys and girls with a combined strength of 160 seats, an administrative block, an auditorium, a cafeteria and a library will be taken up for construction, the officials said.