The Berhampur University, which was in the eye of the Phailin, has suffered a colossal loss, leaving the whole system in its campus, Bhanja Bihar, paralysed.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, during his visit to the cyclone-ravaged area, talked to university Vice-Chancellor Prof Deepak Kumar Behera and assured him of a special package for restoration of the dilapidated infrastructures.
It now seems a daunting task for the university authorities to set in order the institution as the main building has been completely damaged and the hostels, study and research centre, students’ complex, health centre, administrative block, school buildings, NSS centre, police outpost, sports complex and other buildings have suffered huge damages.
VC Prof Behera has sent a restoration proposal of `64 crore support to the Department of Higher Education (DoHE). DoHE Principal Secretary GK Dhal visited Bhanja Bihar on Wednesday to sort out various issues on the spot. Development Commissioner Injeti Srinivas will also visit the university to take stock of the situation.
The teaching blocks and various department buildings are badly damaged as their roofs had collapsed and doors and windows were blown away with the gale hitting at a speed of over 200 kmph on October 12 night for at least 12 hours.
All the 10 boys’ and girls’ hostels are completely damaged and students will not be able to return there unless these housing facilities are repaired, said Ratnakar Biswal, a parent, whose daughter is studying in the university.
With the power supply system getting completely damaged, water supply has totally stopped and 300 families of the faculty and non-teaching staff are not able to get water.
Restoration of the power and telecommunication infrastructures are needed urgently with underground cabling as the campus is hardly two kilometer away from the vulnerable coast.