Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has expressed confidence that Visakhapatnam would turn into a world class city soon.
Speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in the city on Saturday, the Chief Minister said that efforts were on to turn Vizag into a knowledge hub and education centre.
He said that the Central Government had announced several institutions for Andhra Pradesh at the time of the State's bifurcation, and that the processes of setting up top institutions including an IIM, an IIT and an AIIMS had been set in motion.
He said that the state government had allocated about 370 acres of land for setting up the IIM, and that the institute had a lake adjacent to it and would be one of the most beautiful campuses in the country.
He said that the united Andhra Pradesh had been on top in the higher education sector due to the TDP government's initiatives, and that he had increased the number of engineering colleges by more than 350 during his regime. He also said that he felt proud that the maximum number of IT professionals were Telugu-speaking people.
Naidu mentioned that Andhra Pradesh would soon get many more premier institutions including a BITS.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Human Resources Development Smriti Irani said that the IIM was being started to fulfill the promise made in the last Union Budget. She said that the IIM Bill would be introduced in the next session of Parliament, and it would also be passed.
She added that IIM Vizag would be extended all required assistance from IIM Bangalore. She also informed that the new education policy would be implemented in the near future.
Union Minister for Municipal Administration M Venkaiah Naidu expressed hope that IIM Vizag would soon emerge as one of the premier institutions of the country. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sanctioning the IIM for Visakhapatnam. He also praised Chandrababu Naidu for effectively pursuing the State's issues with the Centre.
Members of Parliament, AP cabinet ministers, legislators and senior officials were also present on the occasion. (INN)