On the need to locate the proposed I.I.I.T (Indian Institute of Information Technology ) at Berhampur

R.P. Tripathy

South Orissa , comprising a large part of KBK and other backward districts like Kandhamal, Ganjam and Gajapati, lag behind on almost all parameters of social and educational development. At the moment South Orissa doesn't have a single centrally funded institution for Higher and Technical education. The concentration of central institutions around the State capital has led to large scale discontent among the people of South Orissa and KBK region. In this regard, it will be logical to move out to not so well of places of the state for locating the centrally funded institutions like I.I.I.T.

Berhampur, which is emerging as an alternate IT and ITES destination of Orissa also happens to be the biggest urban cluster of South Orissa and KBK region. Further, the STPI at Berhampur will be an added advantage for locating the I.I.I.T at Berhampur and also in building the Bhubaneswar-Berhampur Knowledge corridor. The proposed IT and commercial complex at Berhampur by IDCO under PPP route will ensure better infrastructure for the IT companies. Presence of Berhampur University , a good chunk of Engineering Colleges and other technical education institutions in Berhampur will work to its advantage.

Berhampur, being the gateway to the vast region of South Orissa and KBK, will certainly attract more IT companies for its strategic location, higher education base, huge human resource potential of the region and its connectivity with all the major cities of India by rail and road. The modest climate of Berhampur will also be to its advantage. The upcoming Gopalpur port and SEZ are likely to make the environment more industry friendly.

The Central government and Planning Commission have plans for 20 new IIITs (Indian Institute of Information Technology) across the country during the 11th plan. Going by news paper reports, Orissa is definitely going to get one of these IIITs. In this respect locating the proposed IIIT at Berhampur, apart from the one planned for Bhubaneswar , would be in the larger interest of the state. In this regard, it becomes imperative for the State and central government and the nodal agencies like Planning Commission to expand the IT education base by adhering to the principle of distributive justice.

Berhampur and South-Orissa deserve better attention and augmentation in resources from the State and Central Government to come out of the vicious circle of underdevelopment. We must strive to esure the realization of this prestigious institution at the earliest.