Osmania University plans convention centre

Hyderabad: The centenary celebrations have come in handy for cash-starved Osmania University to explore other avenues of revenue generation. The varsity is considering building a convention centre, along the lines of the HITEX convention centre.

OU Vice-Chancellor Prof. S. Ramachandram stated the estimated cost of the convention centre was Rs 20 crore. It would be a state-of-the-art construction with an auditorium to accommodate over 2,000 delegates, three to four mini-halls and a spacious food court.

OU wants to utilise this facility for conducting its conferences and seminars besides renting it out.

The university has large tracts of open lands and wants to utilise it for convention centre. The vacant land on the Tarnaka-Habsiguda strectch is one of the preferred locations.

According to Special Officer Prof. Venkateshwarlu, HITEX was the only centre for conducting big conferences and meetings in the city.

“Even state and Central government agencies and organizations, research institutions have no options but to travel to the other part of the city when such meetings are being held there. One of the advisers mooted the idea of OU constructing one such facility in its open lands to cater to requirements in the heart of the city,” he said.