2 Karnataka Towns Want the New IIT, a Bandh Tomorrow

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Sep 22, 2015:  Karnataka, home to India’s Silicon Valley of Bengaluru, cannot wait to get its IIT.  What it can’t decide on, though, is just where to set up the premier engineering institute.

 

In March, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley sanctioned an IIT for the state. A team of experts including IIT directors and representative of the centre were then appointed to decide which town would get the big new prize. 

Late in August, a team of experts visited the towns of Dharwad, Mysuru and Raichur to pick a winner.  Dharward in the North was picked because of infrastructure and other facilities available - like an existing institute with a building big enough for 750 students that could serve as a temporary campus and allow classes to start next year.  

Separately, there were reports that 600 acres had been identified for the final campus.  Dharwad is also on the list of nearly 100 hotspots picked for the Smart Cities makeover - where towns will be upgraded with free wifi, better roads and  upgraded public services. 
 
 India currently has 16 branches of the IIT, nowhere near enough to accommodate the lakhs of students who vie for admission.
 
The excitement in Dharwad turned into protests this week when it was learnt that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to the centre suggesting that Raichur is a better option.

Raichur, also in Northern Karnataka, is located in one of the most backward districts of the state: the "Hyderabad- Karnatak" region, which has been granted Special Status, entitling it to special financial assistance from the centre for its development.

Sources say senior and influential Congress leaders from Raichur like Mallikarjun Kharge lobbied the Chief Minister for the IIT relocation. In the last few days, protests have been held in Dharwad and a bandh is planned tommorow.

 

Courtesy: NDTV