Nagpur: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday directed officials preparing the master plan for Gondwana University’s new campus in Gadchiroli to factor in the institution’s future academic and research needs while combining Gond architectural heritage with modern design.The CM was speaking during a presentation of the proposed plan for an academic complex, administrative building and student hostels on 186 acres allocated to the university. He said the campus should have advanced educational facilities.Fadnavis directed officials to study outstanding educational campuses in Maharashtra and across the country before finalising the design. “Gadchiroli is seeing conditions conducive to industrial development while educational and research opportunities for students were also expected to expand. The university, therefore, needed facilities of national and international standards,” he said.As per the presentation, 27 lakh square feet of built-up space has been planned. Of the Rs 1,100 crore needed for development of the campus, central and state govts have sanctioned Rs 157 crore, officials said.Minister of state for finance and planning, Ashish Jaiswal, said the university buildings should integrate with the surrounding natural environment while providing modern facilities.PWD chief engineer Sambhaji Mane said the complex would incorporate facilities for students, academic activities and research. The main building would be designed after studying appropriate architectural styles, he said.Gondwana University pro-vice-chancellor Shriram Kawale, PWD superintendent engineer Sonali Chavan, architect Jagannath Tawdekar and university engineer Jitendra Ambagade were among those present.The new campus will include green and energy-efficient buildings, infrastructure required for 27 academic programmes, artificial water bodies with a combined storage capacity of 6 crore litres, and an herbal garden.
