With the reported pressure from the Union government for the immediate establishment of the Central Tribal University, the Andhra Pradesh government has decided to take some steps on a war-footing to complete the land acquisition for the prestigious educational institution which was sanctioned almost nine years ago as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014.
The Union government officials, including Secretary of Ministry of Education K. Sanjay Murthy, held a meeting with Chief Secretary of A.P. K. Jawahar Reddy and others on April 4, 2023 for the immediate completion of the land acquisition for the project, following which land has been acquired at Chinamedapalli of Mentada mandal and Marrivalasa of Dattirajeru mandal.
The government has acquired 56,188 acres and paid around ₹31 crore compensation to the property owners. The Vizianagaram district officials took up a boundary survey which is needed before handing over the land to the university which is currently functioning from the old Andhra University centre on the city outskirts.
Infrastructure
Vizianagaram Collector S. Nagalakshmi told The Hindu that the necessary infrastructure such as a six-lane approach road, water and electricity would be provided to begin the construction activity.
While speaking to The Hindu, the university Vice-Chancellor T.V. Kattimani thanked the Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for clearing the decks for the construction of the university buildings. “As the land acquisition is over, the Centre will be requested to initiate the construction process as early as possible. As funds are readily available, the construction could be taken by the Central agencies as per the rules and regulations of the Union government,” said Mr. Kattimani.
The district administration and the university authorities are hopeful that the foundation-laying ceremony would take place very soon as promised by Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy at a public meeting held during the foundation ceremony of the Bhogapuram international airport.
Deputy Chief Minister Peedika Rajannadora said that the university would be a boon for both Vizianagaram and Parvatipuram-Manyam districts as it would have two routes from Saluru and Gajapathinagaram constituencies.
Meanwhile, Aam Admi Party Vizianagaram district unit president K. Dayanand asked the government to take up the works immediately since it was a long-pending project. “The then TDP government acquired land and constructed a boundary wall at Relli village of Kothavalasa mandal in 2017-18. Changing the university’s location has led to six years delay. At least now, the government should speed up the process for the establishment of the university at least by 2024-25 academic year,” he added.
