VIZINAGARAM / PARVATIPURAM
At long last, the Andhra Pradesh government has transferred land to the Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh for the construction of permanent structures in the identified lactation between Gajapathinagaram and Saluru Assembly constituencies.
Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA) has issued the orders, handing over 451.73 acres of land free of cost to the university authorities.
This will help the authorities take up further action as per the directive of the Central government, which is expected to release funds for the construction of the prestigious institution.
As per GO. No. 265, the land is located at Chinamedapalli and Marrivalasa villages, which have access from both Gajapathinagaram of Vizianagaram district and Saluru of Parvatipuram Manyam district.
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, while addressing a public meeting at Kurupam on June 28, had indicated that the foundation stone-laying ceremony would be in the month of July.
University Vice-Chancellor T.V. Kattimani, while hailing the Chief Minister’s announcement, exuded the confidence that the construction process would be completed in a couple of years as there was no paucity of funds.
“Now, all decks have been cleared, and the construction may begin soon. With the support of both the Central and State governments, the university will take steps to make it as the best educational institution in the country.”T.V. KattimaniVice-Chancellor
“Due to limited space in the temporary campus located in Vizianagaram, we are unable to start new courses. Now, all decks have been cleared, and the construction may begin soon. With the support of both the Central and State governments, the university will take steps to make it as the best educational institution in the country,” Dr. Kattimani told The Hindu.
Vizianagaram district Collector S. Nagalakshmi has already directed the EPDCL officials to provide power connection to the site. Supply of dedicated water, construction of approach roads and other civic infrastructure works will also be taken on top priority, she says.
This was one of the institutions promised in the A.P. Reorganisation Act. Initially, it was proposed to be located at Relli village of Kothavalasa mandal in Vizianagaram district.
The then TDP government had acquired the land and constructed a boundary wall too. But, the YSRCP government chose the new location saying that the university should be established close to the tribal areas so that the research activity on the Adivasis could be taken up easily.
However, the land acquisition process was delayed. With pressure mounting from the Union government, the State government had recently released around ₹30 crore as compensation for the property owners who surrendered their land for the construction of the university.
