Launch of IIT in Patna deferred

The formal launch of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) today from its makeshift campus in Patliputra colony here was put off due to "some unavoidable reasons."     

"The centre will fix a fresh date for the formal launch of the Institute," state Science and Technology Department sources said.     

After its launch, classes for the first batch of 109 students would begin with an orientation programme, the sources said.     

Union Human Resource Development Ministry has started the search for a director for the IIT since the formation of a search panel and the appointment was likely to be made within a month.     

The Centre has approved creation of 30 faculty posts per year in the first three years of establishment of each of the new IITs.

However, initially Patna IIT would be fully dependent on its mentor institution Guwahati IIT , the sources revealed.     

The Centre has approved the proposed permanent site for the IIT at Bihta on the outskirts of Patna, Bihar Principal secretary, Science and Technology, A V Chaturvedi said.     

"The acquisition of land at Amhara and its adjacent revenue village will commence soon for construction of the campus for the institute," he said.