Hyderabad: IT minister KTR flags off work on BITS CAMPUS

Hyderabad: Jawaharnagar, which is home to prestigious universities like Nalsar and BITS-Pilani Hyderabad campus, is fast becoming an educational hub, IT minister K.T. Rama Rao said on Saturday.  He emphasised that his government would accord top priority to the education sector in the state.

Mr Rao was speaking after performing the bhoomi puja for the construction of the second phase of the BITS-Pilani Hyderabad campus near Jawaharnagar on the city outskirts.

He later unveiled the foundation stone for the second phase of construction, besides flagging off a ride-for-environment, a bicycle tour, organised jointly by the Hyderabad Bicycle Club and BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad.

Mr Rao stated that the BITS-Pilani management had sought an additional 75 acres for its expansion and the government would consider the request positively.

Mr Rama Rao said private universities would set up campuses in the state. He said the government was formulating a legislation in this regard which will be introduced in the Assembly.

BITS-Pilani Hyderabad has embarked upon a major expansion plan with an outlay of Rs 374 crore, in order to increase the student strength to 5,300 by 2020-21. The additional intake of students will start from the 2017 academic year.

The second phase comprises hostel facilities for students as well as faculty and staff housing, academic buildings and other amenities like open-air theatre, a sports complex and a swimming pool

The first phase of construction of the BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad campus was completed on the 200-acre campus in 2014. The campus, with state-of-the-art facilities, houses around 3,300 students in undergraduate, postgraduate and Ph.D, in science, engineering and pharmacy streams.  The first phase construction started in 2007.

IT secretary Jayesh Ranjan, acting vice-chancellor Prof. V. S. Rao, senior faculty and staff, students and BITS alumni took part in the event.