Locals oppose Indian Institutes of Technology at Tirupati
Demand setting up of the premier institution in Visakhapatnam
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-09-04 05:32 GMT
Visakhapatnam: After the demand for capital and High Court at Vizag, voices have just gained momentum for setting up of country’s premium educational institution, IIT at Vizag and also opposing state government’s decision to establish the premier institution in Tirupati. Of the total 11 premier educational institutions sanctioned by the Centre to the state as part of bifurcation deal, the state government planned setting up of IIM and IIIT in Vizag, tribal varsity in Vizianagaram, petroleum varsity in Kakinada, IIT and central varsity in Tirupati among others.
Locals are arguing that there is an IIT in Chennai and there is no need to set up another IIT within 150 kms radius at Tirupati. Vizag has huge industrial base with steel plant, HPCL, ports, ship yard, dock yard, NTPC and many defence research institutes and these will aid the employment potential and also provide ready-made talent pool to these organisations.
“Vizag is the largest city in new state with highest population with excellent global connectivity and cosmopolitan culture. This will benefit many students as good faculty will come to teach only in cosmopolitan cities with good growth. Thus IIT is not only about buildings, it’s about attracting good faculty to teach and top talent in India. In our state, Vizag stands as number one preferred destination for this,” said Vizag Development Council vice-president O. Naresh Kumar.
He further said that as per Sivaramkrishnan report in PPP mode Vizag, Chennai industrial corridor is expected to have Rs100,000 crore investment. There is an IIT at end point in Chennai and another at start point at Vizag will boost skill and talent availability.
The ITIR and EMC electronic manufacturing clusters, mostly in Vizag Kakinada zone, are expected to bring in PPP investments of Rs2 lakh crore and further additional petroleum PCPIR investments also. In order to attract such huge investments, the educational talent needs must be met.