Khallikote Unitary University Secures Major Infrastructure Funding
The five-year-old Khallikote Unitary University (KUU) in Berhampur is poised for a transformative infrastructure overhaul following the Odisha government's in-principle approval of development projects totaling Rs 79.29 crore. This substantial investment marks a critical step in addressing the university's long-standing accommodation and facility challenges.
Approved Projects and Their Significance
The comprehensive upgrade package includes three major components designed to modernize the campus and enhance its educational capacity:
- A five-storeyed science block costing Rs 35.18 crore, which will significantly expand laboratory and classroom facilities for science students.
- Flat-type residential quarters for key administrative officials including the vice-chancellor, registrar, controller of finance, and controller of examinations, with a budget of Rs 4.57 crore.
- Three new hostels totaling Rs 39.59 crore to replace the aging RCM PG Hostel, which has been declared unsafe and will be demolished.
Geetanjali Dash, Vice-Chancellor of Berhampur University who also serves as in-charge VC of KUU, confirmed the approval, stating, "The proposals were submitted earlier by the university and the higher education department has now cleared all of them. This will give a significant boost to KUU's campus infrastructure. The new buildings will help address long-pending accommodation needs of officials, science students, and hostel inmates."
Detailed Hostel Development Plan
The hostel construction represents the largest portion of the infrastructure investment, with specific allocations for different student groups:
- A 400-seater undergraduate hostel costing Rs 19.46 crore
- A 400-seater postgraduate hostel costing Rs 14.03 crore
- A 50-seater research scholars' hostel costing Rs 5.25 crore
The existing RCM PG Hostel, which engineers from the works department have declared structurally unsafe, will be demolished to make way for these modern facilities. Dash indicated that construction would commence following completion of necessary formalities, including the tender process.
Background and Current Challenges
KUU was established on August 1, 2021, when the 148-year-old Khallikote Autonomous College was upgraded to unitary university status. The institution currently serves approximately 5,500 students across 18 postgraduate departments, 17 undergraduate departments, and several self-financing courses.
Despite its growth, the university has been grappling with severe infrastructure constraints. Many older buildings on campus have fallen into dilapidated condition, creating a critical classroom shortage. This situation is further exacerbated by Plus II students from the adjacent Khallikote Higher Secondary School, who continue to utilize KUU facilities for theory classes and science practicals due to space limitations at their own institution.
The Rs 79.29 crore infrastructure package represents a strategic response to these challenges, aiming to provide KUU with facilities commensurate with its growing academic stature and student population. The development is expected to not only improve current conditions but also position the university for future expansion and enhanced educational delivery.
