Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday sought intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in expediting establishment of National Institute of New Energy and Innovation in the State.
In a letter, Patnaik drew PM's attention to the inordinate delay in execution of the proposed institute of national repute at Bhubaneswar by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
"The construction of the Institute near IIT, Bhubaneswar has not yet been taken up despite grant of advance possession of the required land," Patnaik wrote.
Official sources said, the State government has already allocated 73.68 acres of land near IIT, Bhubaneswar for the premier institute that is aimed at promoting cutting edge research and development activities in the field of renewable energy.
Patnaik in his letter has also requested the Centre for issuing necessary instructions to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to reopen the regional office at the earliest.
The Ministry in an order issued on November 10, 2017 had closed down the regional office at Bhubaneswar.
Citing that the closure of the regional office might further hamper the establishment of the National Institute of New Energy and Innovation, Odisha government has sought urgent measures from the Centre in this regard.