Sambalpur: Sambalpur University approved a special package of Rs 10 lakh for its dream project “Mahanadi River Research” at its Syndicate meeting held on its Jyotivihar campus Thursday. Prof Dipak Behera presided over it as the vice chancellor and got the project approved.
It was felt at the meeting that such research project is relevant now as Mahanadi has become a hot topic all over the state and no political party in the state can afford to stay aloof. So, it was decided to do research on Mahanadi under the guidance of Prof Sanjay Sahu to let people of Odisha know the facts behind all this hue and cry. However, it has been clarified that the research deals with academic aspects as well finding a solution to various problems dogging the river.
The research work will be based on nine themes: Water flow in Mahanadi; effects of weather on it; problems faced by fish and other aqua life; soil; effects of industries; water-borne diseases; folktales and folk-lore related to Mahanadi.
An academic committee comprising some senior professors, research scholars working on Mahanadi and some eminent persons has been formed. The university has earmarked Rs 10 lakh from its own kitty and plans to collect funds from various government and private sources for the project.
The Syndicate also decided to approach the Ministry of Mass Education to improve the condition of a high school on the campus, as it is facing management problems.
The Syndicate also approved, among others, various courses run by the 20 professional colleges affiliated to the university and implementation of the Seventh Central Pay Commission recommendations.
