The site for the second campus of Ravenshaw University in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Sept. 25: A hurdle in the way of Ravenshaw University’s proposed second campus at Naraj has been cleared following state government assurance yesterday.

The state government has assured varsity officials to transfer the allocated land, including patches that were earlier considered disputed, by next month so that construction can begin at the earliest. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by revenue divisional commissioner (central) Arvind Padhee yesterday.

In 2007, the state government had allotted Ravenshaw University 141 acres at Brajabiharipur mauza under Athgarh tehsil in the city outskirts for its second campus. However, the university officials were able to acquire only 126.4 acres.

The land transfer process was getting delayed as about 6.80 acres land, which fell within the area, belonged to the Cuttack Development Authority.

“We have got information that the CDA relinquished the land after the state government allocated to it an equivalent land in the vicinity. We had sought 150 acres, but will get 141 acres. The remaining land, which is to be acquired, is in the periphery and it wont hinder construction much. There will be a meeting at the chief secretary’s level next month, where we hope the land documents will be handed over to us,” said Ravenshaw vice-chancellor B.C. Tripathy.

With the transfer of land, the university can hope to lay the foundation stone for the proposed campus on its foundation day on November 15. The foundation stone laying ceremony was called off by the chief minister’s office at the eleventh hour last year. “We hope things will proceed in a positive way this time,” said Tripathy.

The second campus, which was long necessitated for decongesting the nearly 136-year-old premier centre of learning in the state, was planned in 2007. The plan envisaged transformation of Ravenshaw into a knowledge hub with both infrastructure and academic development keeping in view the demands of future education. The construction was targeted to be completed by 2017.

“There is no obstruction in construction of a boundary wall. But, work could not be started as funds, too, have not been allocated. The state government is yet to allocate any funds for the second campus,” the vice-chancellor said.

The present campus of Ravenshaw, which is on 100 acres, offers courses in arts, science and commerce along with various self-financing courses. Of the 23 departments, 17 offer postgraduate courses. As a recognized centre for doctoral and post-doctoral research, it offers M.Phil. courses in 12 subjects. There are 500 rooms and 34 laboratories. But they are insufficient to accommodate the existing strength of nearly 8,000 students.