The new building of Government Polytechnic, Bhaga, at BIT-Sindri in Dhanbad on Tuesday. Picture by Gautam Dey

The oldest polytechnic institute of the state is all set to get a new address.

Established in 1905, the Government Polytechnic will shift from Bhaga to BIT-Sindri, about 8km from Bhaga, in the coal capital, thanks to the initiatives of the state science and technology department.

The institute, which functions from a two-storey building at the Phusbunglow area of Bhaga, received a 5-acre plot from the science and technology department on which a four-storey building was built for Rs 20 crore two years ago.

However, it could not shift there due to lack of water and power connections at the new address. Though the drinking water and sanitation department made arrangements for water two weeks ago, it’s not sufficient. And, power is yet to be installed.

Additional chief secretary of the science and technology department Arvind Kumar Pandey inspected the new building at Sindri on August 18 and instructed officials to speed up arrangements so that the cradle can shift by next month.

The decision to shift to a new campus was prompted by the want of adequate hostel accommodation. The Bhaga campus has sufficient space for running classes, but cannot offer rooms to all the students. As there are only 10 double-bed rooms, most students are forced to look for rented accommodation in neighbouring areas.

The new building will boast a 300-bed hostel.

“We are facing difficulty at the present campus due to space crunch. However, the shifting will take sometime as power connection from the pole to the main switchboard of the building is yet to be made,” said Government Polytechnic principal B.P. Sinha, adding that they were determined to shift after the monsoon.

Sinha, who accompanied Pandey during the inspection, has sent letters to the science and technology department, seeking funds for moving the furniture and equipment from the old campus.

The polytechnic offers three-year diploma course in mining and computer science engineering to 70 and 60 students, respectively.

Besides, the institute is also facing an acute shortage of teachers.

There is only one regular teacher for each of the mining and computer science departments and classes are mainly conducted by part-time lecturers.

“The cradle, however, also finds it difficult to get part-time lecturers due to low salaries. Each teacher is paid Rs 250 per class,” said an insider.