 |
| The Nalanda University makeshift campus |
Soil-testing work started on the main Nalanda University campus on Monday after a seminar to fine-tune construction details was held last week.
Vice-chancellor Gopa Sabharwal is intent on the first batch of students having classes on the university’s main campus for at least six months. So, efforts are on to start construction work in the first phase by February next year.
A team of architects from Vastu Shilpa, the Ahmedabad-based consultancy firm of ace architect B.V. Doshi selected to design the university, surveyed the main site on September 25 and 26. Sabharwal said: “During the two-day seminar, decisions were taken on various aspects of construction, including fixing timelines for the various phases. According to the preliminary plans, one building would be the model structure in the area earmarked as outreach centre. To be a two-storeyed structure, the building would primarily be used as a site-office but would also have a classroom. We are trying to start construction work on this building by February next year.”
Towards that job, soil-testing started on the main campus site. Funds of Rs 700 crore are proposed to be spent in the first phase, envisaging construction of the schools of historical studies, and ecology and environment studies.
At present, classes of the two schools are under way at the Rajgir International Convention Centre. Sabharwal said: “We have been given in-principle approval for holding our classes at the Rajgir International Convention Centre for at least six months by the Nalanda district administration. So, we will continue to hold our classes at the convention centre till the new building is ready,” she said.
Sources said the convention centre would be used for at least another fortnight.
The vice-chancellor has set the target of July 2017 for classes to formally start on the main campus.
According to preliminary plans, the Nalanda University campus spread over 455 acres would be developed with an eco-friendly approach.
Sabharwal said: “The building would be developed on a zero-energy level and zero-pollution emission model. One of the eco-friendly technologies to be adopted is compressed soil earth block where all the mud taken out during pre-construction excavation is reutilised for making bricks or clay.”
Sources said the architects from Vastu Shilpa would now work on preparing the spatial drawings. “Another meeting on construction work would be held in New Delhi on October 11,” Sabharwal said.
On the soil-testing work, Colonel M.K. Prasad, the university engineer, said: “Work has started from Monday and based on the reports, we would decide on the technology to be used for construction. Tenders will be floated for construction after we receive the report. The process can take around two-three months so we expect construction in the first phase to start from January.”
The Prime Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Tan Dung, is also expected to visit the university in the last week of October although a confirmation is yet to be received.