As the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bhilai, part of India’s most prestigious chain of higher education institutes and an Institute of National Importance, is gearing up to move to its permanent campus by 2022, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel performed bhoomipujan for the Academic Area Interconnect and Superstructure of the institute at Kutelabhata, Bhilai, Durg district, on Wednesday.

 

The Chief Minister also laid some bricks for the construction of a wall at the venue. State PWD Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu, Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey, Higher and Technical Education Minister Umesh Patel, PHE Minister Guru Rudra Kumar, Member of Parliament Vijay Baghel, Member of Parliament Saroj Pandey graced the occasion as guests of honour. The Chief Minister said that another feather added in Bhilai’s cap in the form of IIT, Bhilai which is the vision of the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He said that IIT-Bhilai, the 23rd IITs of the country, is the pride of Chhattisgarh. The Chief Minister was briefed about the structures of the IIT, Bhilai. The Chief Minister said that the IIT, Bhilai will help enhance research work in Chhattisgarh. The Chief Minister mentioned Chhattisgarh is working out on a project based on ethanol and IIT Bhilai can help in the project.

 

He hoped that the IIT will carry out research on cost cutting which will helpful for the agriculture-oriented economy of Chhattisgarh. CM further said that technology changes life in many ways, earlier aluminum was a very expensive item, now it is accessible. Electronic watches used to be very expensive, now it is very cheap. New possibilities of development will also be created in State through IITs. The event included a brick laying ceremony, unveiling of the 3D architectural model of the IIT Bhilai permanent campus by the Chief Minister, a video of the plan and architecture of the permanent campus, followed by speeches by Chief Minister and guests of honour, and a presentation of mementos. IIT, Bhilai Director Professor Rajat Moona delivered welcome address at the event and informed that all preliminary work for the construction of the Superstructure has been completed.

 

Construction work in the first phase will comprise 18 lecture halls and classrooms, two buildings each for the Engineering and Science Departments, the Library and ITIs building along with an observatory tower, three hostels and three residential towers, amongst several other structures. Tamradhwaj Sahu said that Nehru gave the gift of Bhilai Steel Plant to the state. This opened the way for rapid development. Ravindra Choubey said that due to the policies of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, the economy of Chhattisgarh remained strong even during the Corona period. Higher Education Minister Umesh Patel said that institutions like IITs should do research on cost cutting. Chhattisgarh has a significant number of iron industries. This research of IIT can prove to be a boon. Guru Rudrakumar said that new possibilities will be created for Chhattisgarh in the field of technology through IIT, Bhilai. Bhilai Mayor Devendra Yadav, Collector Dr Sarveshwar Narendra Bhure, SP Prashant Thakur and other distinguished guests were present on the occasion.