Date:08/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/08/stories/2008090854570400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

YSR for locating ISM in Khammam

Renews offer to provide land and other facilities to the university

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Sunday renewed his appeal to the Centre to expedite sanction of the Indian School of Mines (ISM) campus in Khammam district, for which the State Government will extend all facilities.

In a letter to Arjun Singh, Union Minister for Human Resources Development, Dr. Reddy laid stress on suitability of Khammam district for the ISM campus, saying that it had over 120 years of mining history. The district had abundant natural minerals like coal, iron ore, dolomite, limestone, quartz, barytes, copper, graphite, steatite, red oxide and dolerite (black granite).

Land promised

The letter stated that Khammam district had mining-based industries like Singareni Collieries Company Ltd, Department of Atomic Energy’s Manuguru Heavy Water Plant, Sponge Iron India Ltd, Nava Bharat Ferro Alloys, Visakha Steel, dolomite mines, AP Mining Development Corporation. Besides, it had over 1,000 granite units (slabs and tiles). Dr. Reddy stated that 300 acres of government land would be identified and made available for the campus. Infrastructure facilities like electricity and water, were readily available.

Besides, Khammam was on the main railway line between Hyderabad-Vijayawada and Chennai-New Delhi. It had airport connectivity 100 km away at Gannavaram and 200 km at Hyderabad International Airport.

Letter cited

He also stated that he had received the copy of the letter addressed by the ISM University, Dhanbad, to the Centre readily agreeing to establish its campus in Andhra Pradesh. “We are very happy and thankful to welcome the ISM University to establish the campus in Khammam district in Andhra Pradesh.”