Not in the book

Updated on: Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Students will have to wait longer for the University of Mumbai’s sub-centres in Thane and Kalyan.

The state government, despite its repeated assurances to fund the construction of the sub-centres, has not made good on its promise. The government, in its budget for 2011-12, has not allocated a single paisa for the sub-centres, the construction of which is estimated to cost Rs 300 crore.

Last year in August, minister for higher and technical education Rajesh Tope had, at a foundation-laying ceremony for the Thane sub-centre, assured that “funds will flow freely from the state kitty for the project”. But the department has failed to appreciate the long-pending demand of the local student community.

“The sub-centres will benefit lakhs of students, including those from Shahapur, who are forced to travel all the way to the university’s Fort and Kalina campuses,” Ashish Pandre, a student from Kalyan, said. “A sub-centre closer home will allow students to cut down on travel time. Also, introduction of vocational and postgraduation courses will help many in the region,’’ Pandre added.

The local leadership had offered land for the sub-centres. A six-acre plot at Balkum has been reserved for the Thane sub-centre, while a 10-acre land at Gandhare has been earmarked for the Kalyan sub-centre.

“Elected representatives from Thane district had decided to partly fund the project. They had offered Rs five lakh each from their local area development fund for the construction. The university, however, has failed to provide the remaining amount,’’ an official said.

The lethargy by the university has also delayed the project. A committee headed by professor Nareshchandra of Birla College in Kalyan is still preparing the draft plan for the construction of the sub-centre.

“This committee was supposed to submit its draft plan to the university by December 2010, but it is yet to do so,’’ a member of the committee told TOI on the condition of anonymity.

Not in the book

More Education news