Fresh initiative being launched to build NIO complex in Vizag
Construction work is scheduled to take another 18 months
image for illustrative purpose
Visakhapatnam: After facing several procedural wrangles for its research complex, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is expected to take up the construction at sea-facing Rushikonda here and complete it within two years.
The dream of having its own campus has remained on paper for over a decade due to red-tapism viz first in acquiring a land parcel of 3.25 acres and complaints received by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and over alleged violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) guidelines if construction activity is allowed in the site in question, an oceanographic scientist told Bizz Buzz. Ironically, the research facility is meant to undertake studies on how to study the behaviour of tidal waves, arrest coastal erosion and make damage caused by cyclones minimal.
The reasons for the delay were mainly in obtaining the CRZ clearance, finalisation of schemes and other administrative and statutory clearances. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was selected as Project Management Consultant (PMC) for the construction of the laboratory building and the work order was awarded in 2009. The stone for the building was laid by then Minister for Science and Technology YS Choudhary in 2016 amid fanfare.
Since then, BSNL had prepared different versions of architectural drawings for the proposed building and submitted the final drawings along with preliminary estimates for Rs.30.50 crore.
As per the contractual agreement with the PMC, it shall provide services for planning, designing and execution for the development of new CSIR-NIO campus as per the given scope of work and terms & conditions for a lump sum fee. However, PMC is not ready to fulfil the obligation as per the existing agreement terms and conditions and this has caused further delay.
The process of termination of the contract on mutual consent has been initiated. CSIR-NIO Regional Centre at Visakhapatnam is currently housed in two rented buildings. Since the centre is well equipped with state-of-art laboratory equipment, the regular R&D activities are not affected to the major extent.
