Planning adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud on Sunday said that there were some pre-conditions to establish the permanent campus of Rabindra University in Chalan Bil area.
鈥楾he university authorities have to take clearance from the department of environment as per the existing rules,鈥� he said while briefing reporters after the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council meeting.
He also said that there would be no deviation of the rules for the purpose.
The adviser said that the project area was fallow land and in 2018, the land ministry gave a clearance certificate as non-agricultural land and issued a no-objection certificate for land acquisition.
鈥業t was said that clearance from the environment ministry would be required. Now the project received approval on the condition that those conditions will be met,鈥� he said.
The government on Sunday approved the permanent campus of Rabindra University, Bangladesh, in Shahjadpur upazila of Sirajganj district with an estimated cost of Tk 519.15 crore.
The approval came amid environmentalists鈥� concerns that constructing the university in Chalan Bil area would obstruct the natural water flow.
According to official documents, the 鈥楨stablishment of Rabindra University, Bangladesh鈥� project will be implemented between May 2025 and April 2029 under the ministry of education鈥檚 secondary and higher education division.
The University Grants Commission and Rabindra University authorities will jointly execute the project.
The project鈥檚 objective is to build physical infrastructure to facilitate modern, technology-based teaching and research, alongside promoting Rabindra studies, science-mindedness, and creativity.
Once completed, the university is expected to offer world-class academic opportunities.
Currently, Rabindra University operates from three local colleges in Shahjadpur but the temporary agreements with those institutions have already expired.
Authorities of the colleges declined to extend the arrangement, creating an acute shortage of classrooms, offices, and accommodation facilities.
The proposed permanent campus will be built on 100 acres of khas land at Buripothajia mouza in Shahjadpur, part of the poet Rabindranath Tagore鈥檚 former zamindari estate.
The process of land allocation is underway at the ministry of land.
At present, the university runs academic activities in five departments under four faculties, with around 2,500 students.
Under the first phase of the new project, 10 departments will be opened, while the long-term plan includes 40 departments and three institutes accommodating about 7,000 students.
The project will include construction of academic and residential buildings, land development, electrification, and procurement of furniture, computers, and research equipment.
Officials said that the project aligned with the government鈥檚 8th five-year plan, which prioritised improving the quality of tertiary education and research with a particular focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines.