The incomplete polytechnic institute building in Kendrapara. Telegraph picture

Kendrapara, Aug. 20: The government-run polytechnic here is facing tough time because of infrastructure deficiencies even though classes have commenced from August 1.

Students and their parents are a worried lot with gross absence of basic facilities at the recently-established institute, which has 240 polytechnic seats in civil engineering, mechanical, electrical, and electronics and telecommunications courses. The building is not yet complete for the new academic session.

To make the matter worse, a single senior lecturer has been posted here to teach the students, who took admission after clearing the diploma entrance test this year.

The laboratories earmarked for technical experimentation or research are also not well equipped. The 60-bed hostel is also incomplete.

Without raising the infrastructure, opening up the institute hurriedly defies logic, said academic Bhagaban Jena.

“Students will waste time as there will be none to teach them. It is unfortunate that a single teacher besides a principal has been posted to look after academics. It’s a cruel joke on the students and their parents,” he added.

Institute principal Dola Gobind Sahu said despite constraints, efforts were on to start classes on schedule.

“So far, a senior lecturer in mechanical branch has been posted here. The government has sanctioned seven posts of senior lecturers and 15 junior lecturer posts for the institute. We expect their joining very shortly. If it gets delayed, we will seek the services of guest faculty to ensure uninterrupted classroom teaching,” he said. The institute has provision for laboratories in physics, chemistry, basic electronics, basic electrical and a mechanical workshop, he said. “We are expecting the installation of laboratory equipment shortly,” Sahu said.

As many as eight institutes were set up this year after the department of employment, technical education and training took a decision on the basis of Central government’s Submission of Polytechnic scheme. The purpose of opening more polytechnic colleges was to meet increasing demand for skilled manpower in the state.

Besides Kendrapara, the polytechnic institutes are beginning their academic sessions this year in Balangir, Balasore, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Nabrangpur, Sambalpur and Sonepur districts.