Bhubaneswar, Feb. 5: The state government today urged the Centre to announce establishment of the proposed National Institute of New Energy and Innovations in the city and allocate necessary funds to start its construction at the earliest.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to this effect. The state government's request assumes significance on the eve of the Prime Minister's proposed Sunday visit to the state. Modi is scheduled to inaugurate permanent campus of the National Institute of Science Education and Research on the city outskirts during his visit.

Stating that the state government had taken several initiatives keeping in tune with the national development goals to promote the renewable energy sector in the state, Naveen commended the Centre's initiative to set up the proposed national institute in Bhubaneswar. For this purpose, the chief minister offered to give 80 acres free of cost near the IIT, Bhubaneswar on the city outskirts. "Odisha stands committed to extend all required support such as allocation of land and other supports that may be required to establish such an institute of national repute," he said.

Official sources said the Union ministry of new and renewable energy had proposed to set up the National Institute of New Energy and Innovations in the state and has assigned IIT, Bhubaneswar to prepare a detailed project report.

The ministry had also applied to the state revenue department to allot around 80 acres for the purpose. Revenue department sources said it had identified a land near the IIT, Bhubaneswar at Delang.An official delegation, headed by new and renewable energy ministry secretary Upendra Tripathy had visited the identified site in April 2015.As a matter of principle, the state government has decided to provide the land free of premium. Besides, the local tehsildar has been asked to expedite the process of land allotment, official sources said.The university proposal first came up at a meeting held in Puri in December last.