KOCHI: If everything goes as per the new master plan, Maharaja's will soon have a multi-purpose indoor stadium and a grand convention centre. The indoor stadium is to come up on the western side of the hockey court to facilitate promotion of various sports other than football and hockey, which have separate turfs at the Maharaja's ground. "The new master plan seeks to give a facelift to the grand old college adding various facilities. KITCO is in charge of preparing the master plan and it is in the final stages. Our focus is on turning the college to meet the new requirements without losing its heritage charm. Eminent architect Benny Kuriakose who is associated with the Muziris project, has volunteered to help us keep the balance and he has already made a couple of visits to Maharaja's in this regard," said Mr P.K. Raveendran, chairman of the governing council of the Maharaja's College.
Mr Raveendran said that Maharaja's will have a grand new auditorium in place of the present one which was built in the 1970s. "An auditorium of modern standards which is as good as a convention centre is what we have in mind," he said adding the details are being worked out in the master plan. He said that one of the major issues faced is the lack of toilets in each block. "These days each block is self-contained with all facilities and we have to turn Maharaja's also like that so that conferences and other events can be conducted in these blocks without interruption. Researchers also need such facilities. Maharaja's also lacks space to conduct new courses and for that new blocks have also to be built," he said.
"Good hostels for both girls and boys are on top of agenda and already Rs 10 crore has been sanctioned for the purpose and work started by PWD. The master plan seeks to take care of the long-term development of the campus and from time to various projects for the same will be undertaken," he said. A sum of Rs 30 crore has been sanctioned under KIIFB for giving a facelift to Maharaja's which will be utilized as per the master plan. "Of this a sum of Rs 15 crore will be utilized for infrastructure development, while Rs 5 crore will be used for IT development and Rs 15 crore for modernization of labs," said Dr Sunish K S, a Governing Council member.
He said that KITCO is identified as consultant for the infra project while the State IT Mission is being roped in for the IT project. "Consultant for the modernization of lab project is yet to be identified," he said. Currently a three-storey library complex is being built at the college spending Rs 8 crore, the work of which is expected to be over by next March 31. "This will house all libraries of all departments which all will be on digital platform. There will be associated rooms for research also." An academic block also is to be built and the project in this regard for Rs 10 crore is pending the final clearance of the Higher Education and Finance Departments. "All language departments will be brought under one roof in this block which will be of immense use for the students and teachers alike," Dr Sunish said.
