Maharana Pratap Horticulture University project gets wings

Parveen Arora

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Tribune News Service

Karnal, March 25

After witnessing several hiccups, the construction work of Maharana Pratap Horticulture University at Anjanthali village is all set to be resumed as the state government has not only finalised the construction company but also allocated a budget of Rs 85 crore for the financial year of 2021-22.

Earlier, the government had allotted Rs 150 crore, but due to the non-utilisation of funds, Rs 31 crore was sent back to the Finance Department last year.

So far, only the boundary wall and entry gate has been constructed, while the work is going on for polyhouse and pre-engineering structural buildings to run the classes of BSc (horticulture) from July, which are at present being run from the building of the Extension Education Institute, Nilokheri.

With an aim to develop human resources in the field of horticulture, the state government had announced the setting up of this university and the foundation stone was laid by the former Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Chief Minister Khattar on April 6, 2016.

At that time, the expected project cost to be constructed in 118 acres with three regional centres one each at Raiya in Jhajjar, Chandsoli in Ambala and Badhana in Jind was Rs 486 crore, but now the cost is likely to increase.

As per sources, the delay in the finalisation of drawing and construction agency led to the delay in construction work.

“The state government has allocated a budget of Rs 85 crore, of which Rs 60 crore is for the construction work, while the remaining amount is for salary and other expenditures,” said Professor Samar Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the university. The government has also decided that the administrative block of the university will run from the premises of the regional station of Haryana Agriculture University and Horticulture Training Institute, Uchani in the district, while the office of the directorate of research, lab, farmers’ facility centre, farmers’ training centre, seed production unit, nursery and classrooms of graduation, post-graduation and PhD will be on the university premises.

Foundation laid in 2016

With an aim to developing human resources in the field of horticulture, the state government had announced the setting up of this university and the foundation stone was laid by the former Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Chief Minister Khattar on April 6, 2016.