BIT Mesra Extension to Open in Gaya

Close at the heel of the Central government's decision to open an Indian Institute of Technology in Bihar, the state government and the Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra, have reached an understanding to open an extension and a research center in Gaya to facilitate technical education in the state, officials in Patna said on Tuesday.The state government has allocated the 72 acres of land currently occupied by the defunct Magadh Engineering College in Gaya for the extension of BIT and attempts are on to open the door for the students later this year, the office of Science and Technology ministry said.The college would be run and managed by the BIT management and the state government will provide all infrastructural support for the set up to the institute.Initially the college would impart education in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics and accommodate 60 students in each department. Later, more departments would be added in phases, officials said.Fifty percent of the available seats would be reserved for students from Bihar; they said adding that once the final plan is presented by the BIT, the state government would hand over the required money to the management.