Rs. 3,000 Crore for Central University

More than Rs 3,000 crore will go into making the permanent campus of Central University of Punjab at the Ghudda village in Bathinda. All buildings will be eco-friendly and have green rating for integrated habitat assessment (GRIHA) IV. Vice-chancellor Jai Roop Singh on Tuesday told newsmen: “The design is for the maximum use of solar energy. “Our administration and experts from the NIT in Jalandhar have selected eight of the 21 global firms who have built university campuses in and outside India. Each has a minimum annual turnover of Rs 500 crore.” Architecture and design were select through global tenders. From the eight firms in shortlist, designs by three will be under the microscope for the final award of construction contract. The V-C said: “The cost proposal will be the key. Some part of the campus will be ready in just two years to enable the university to run a few courses. A 500-acre spread is acquired already. Railway Infrastructure Technical and Economic Services (RITES) will work on the boundary wall. Asked about initiatives on the temporary campus on the Mansa road, Jai Roop Singh: “For the sake of continuous electric supply and avoiding frequent tripping, the university will go for solar energy.” Two 5-kilowatt solar-wind energy hybrid systems are in place with 75% subsidy from the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The systems will run tube-lights, fans, and computers. The MNRE has also approved 50% subsidy for 60-KW SPV Solar Roof Top System. Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) will complete the work for Rs 130 lakh. The V-C said the thrust was on running courses that encouraged the study of health, social, and religious aspects of the region. He said: “In the pharmaceutical sciences course, the university will study cancer in the Malwa region.”