Next phase infra work worth Rs. 325 cr starts at Sikkim University campus

ISABELLA GURUNG

YANGANG,: The Bhoomi poojan ceremony for the construction of Sikkim University campus at Yangang, South Sikkim (phase-I package-II) was conducted at the university campus premises at Yangang on Wednesday.
Education minister Kunga Nima Lepcha was the chief guest on the occasion. He was accompanied by MP (Lok Sabha) Indra Hang Subba, Yangang MLA Raj Kumari Thapa, Sikkim University vice-chancellor Prof. Avinash Khare and Education secretary Anil Raj Rai, among others.
The estimated value of the Package-I of Phase-I is Rs.106 cr (tendered cost) which includes structural work of admin, faculty and library building. The package-II which includes finishing work of above three buildings and construction of lab building, classroom building, hostels and staff quarters is estimated at a cost of Rs. 325 cr.
The project started on January 5 and the duration of the project is 36 months. The executing agency for the project is construction engineering company ITD Cementation India Ltd. and the authority engineer is Hindustan Steelworks Construction Limited.
 “Sikkim University was established in 2007. The construction of the new campus was supposed to be completed within five years, but the work has been delayed for a long time. The progress you see now is only after the new government came into power. Chief Minister P.S. Golay personally visited the campus site at Yangang earlier. Now, finally the work is in progress and we ensure on completing the project at the earliest. We had a meeting with the vice-chancellor and we are on talk of shifting the non-lab classes and language to the Yangang campus at the earliest. The campus has been delayed for too long now,” expressed Education minister Lepcha.
The Sikkim University vice-chancellor informed that in the new phase, laboratories, classrooms, hostels (for both girls and boys) and faculty house are scheduled to be constructed.
“We had a detailed meeting with the State government regarding shifting of the faculties here. We had visited the site in December last year to see whether we can shift some of the departments in Yangang by July this year. The State government has also assured to fully support the university, including the road connectivity, and installing water and power in the campus. If these are fulfilled, some of the non-lab departments can be shifted here first,” informed Prof. Avinash Khare.
The vice-chancellor urged the general public to cooperate and support the university campus at Yangang as the university is for the benefit of the future generation of Sikkim. He assured to listen to any grievances of the public, and resolve them.
Minister Lepcha informed that the bhoomi poojan of Sikkim State University campus at Temi-Namphing would be conducted soon.
The university’s bhoomi poojan had been cancelled on two occasions.
Lepcha maintained that Sikkim State University is as important as any other universities in Sikkim. The bhoomi poojan will be conducted soon and the university will also be operational at the earliest, he said. The issue will also be taken to the State Assembly which is scheduled be held soon, he mentioned.