Khallikote Art college makeover work moves at snail's pace

Though five years have elapsed since the state government declared the Government Art and Crafts College at Khallikote in Ganjam district as a 'Centre of Excellence', the three-storey building for the purpose is yet to see the light of day. The slow pace of work has irked the staff and students alike, who are demanding early completion of the building. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik had sanctioned Rs 2 crore for the building in 2007 and Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) was entrusted with the work on the 17-acre sprawling campus. The building was proposed to have two departments - crafts and sculpture, an art gallery, a museum to display the antiques and sculptures, a storeroom and office rooms. "There are no activities on the ground for the last three to four months for reasons unknown," said college principal P K Dash. IDCO general manager (Berhampur) Sushant Mohapatra admitted to the delay and said several notices have been issued to the contractor over slow progress in work. "We will be forced to replace the contractor and are consulting the head office to expedite the work. The building will be ready in the next two years," he said. Part of the 200-year-old palace of the erstwhile king of Khallikote, Ramchandra Mardharaj Deo, the college initially began as an art school. Later, it was elevated to its present status. It is the only residential art college in the state. Source: Times of India