Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday said the State Government has taken initiative to allot 75 acres of land for establishment of a Bay of Bengal Coastal Observatory at Ganjam to combat natural calamities which would be the first of its kind in India.
“This would help the people of the State get advance information on natural calamities like tsunami and cyclones,” Patnaik said while addressing the eighth foundation day celebration of the IIT Bhubaneswar here.
Patnaik said the IIT aims to evolve into a global institute in science and engineering, offering students a broad-based and flexible curriculum with a distinct global perspective.
“The State Government has also entered into an agreement with the IIT for developing rural road technology through the Project Centre for management, training and research on rural roads where the new technology can be developed to help rural people,” he informed.
He expressed satisfaction as the IIT Bhubaneswar has taken new initiative to give emphasis on entrepreneurship with establishment of an Entrepreneurship Park, where the BTech students can take part and look forward to innovations.
Giving the foundation day lecture, former Ambassador lalit Mansingh expressed his gratitude to Utkal Gaurab Madhusudan Das for his contribution for a modern Odisha which was realised by Biju Patnaik.
Minister of Skill Development and Technical Education Sanjay Kumar Dasburma, Education Minister Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy and MP Prasanna Patasani also spoke, among others.