Govt to set up MTR centre for rural roads in IIT-BBSR campus

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today signed a MoU with the IIT-Bhubaneswar to set up a centre for management, training & research (MTR) on rural roads inside the IIT campus.

The centre to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 8 crore, will also have a 60-seat hostel facility for the training of engineers from various engineering departments of the state government.

The state government will be benefited by the service of the captive faculty of the IIT-Bhubaneswar as engineers from the state Rural, Works, Water Resources, Panchayati Raj and Housing and Urban Development departments will be provided regular training at this centre.

Apart from construction of the centre, the state government will provide Rs 1 crore annually to the IIT-Bhubaneswar through Rural Development department for running and maintenance of the centre.

“Development of infrastructure is one of the top priorities of the state government and we need engineers with excellent technical skills for improving the standard and quality of infrastructure project in the state. Regular upgradation of knowledge will no doubt will enhance the professional skills of our technocrats”, said chief minister Naveen Patnaik who was present on the occasion.

Among others, Rural Development minister Badri Narayan Patra, chief secretary AP Padhi, Development Commissioner and additional chief secretary (Finance) R Balakrishnan, principal secretary, Rural Development, PK Mohapatra, director, IIT-Bhubaneswar and senior officials were also present.