: Vellore Institute of Technology University, one of the premier institutions in the country, is mulling expansion to Andhra Pradesh by setting up its campus in Amaravati.
A few days ago, the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority conditionally allotted a large chunk of land to the university in the capital region, it is reliably learnt.
However, the allotment of land to VIT and other educational institutions by the CRDA is expected to come up before the State Cabinet .
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According to sources, the university sought at least 150 acres of land.
The CRDA fixed land costs at Rs. 25 lakh per acre if it is leased and Rs. 50 lakh per acre if the land is purchased.
On the other hand, the State government also expects the university to provide higher education in various streams to at least 5,000 students in eight years from the start.
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There are Central government norms for allotment of land to universities. The Cabinet, after studying the issue may give the approval. As soon as the Cabinet approves the land allotment, universities can start building their campus and begin class work from the next academic year, that is, 2017-18.
It may be worth mentioning that VIT is one of most chosen out of the state universities by engineering aspirants from Andhra Pradesh every year and setting up of the same in Amaravati would help thousands of them. The VIT management can take a final call after going through the offer of the government.