Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 29: Gothapatna has been selected as the permanent location for the recently sanctioned Indian Institute of Management (IIM), ending a long-drawn process by the state government and the Central site selection committee. The location is 15 km away from Bhubaneswar airport.
The Central site selection committee, which had visited the state to finalise the location, found Gothapatna on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar as the “suitable venue” for the setting up of the prestigious management institute, a senior state official stated here Thursday. The state government had zeroed in on two locations — one in Arugul and the other at Gothapatna– for the purpose. The Central panel visited these two places December 23. Gothapatna has 79 acres of land identified for the project.
Sources said the state government also agreed with the final selection of Gothapatna as the site for the IIM. Located in its vicinity are the IIIT, the Birla Institute of Management and Technology, the International Management Institute, NALCO’s I&D Centre and STPI. Apart from this, the area is well-connected with a 100-ft road erected by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority.
Finance minister Arun Jaitley had, during the presentation of the Union Budget for the year 2014-15, announced the setting up of IIMs in six states including Orissa with a budgetary allocation of Rs 500crore.
A senior official from the technical education department said the Central committee favoured start of the classes for IIM Bhubaneswar from July this year. It also advised the state government to upgrade the infrastructure in Gothapatna at the earliest. Work would start soon, the official said.
