HYDERABAD: The Birla Institute of Technological Sciences (BITS) that runs the sought-after technological institutions at Pilani and Goa will have its third campus at Hyderabad.

A team directors related to academics and administration at BITS Pilani is visiting the city on January 4 to discuss with the Government the modalities of establishment of the institute. Allocation of land and other related aspects would come up for discussion at the meeting. "We are committed to establishing the campus at Hyderabad and things are positively moving ahead," said S. Venkateswaran, Vice Chancellor BITS.

Land identified

He told The Hindu that the campus would be a full-fledged one on the lines of the one in Pilani. "It's going to be a large project," he said.

Sources said the Government had identified two chunks of land of which one is near Shamshabad. Each piece is about 200 acres and the visiting team would also be given the choice of searching other locations if the identified pieces of land were not found to their liking. Sources said the Government was keen to offer the land free of cost, given the wide benefits that would accrue from the technological campus, but BITS reportedly declined the offer and said it was ready to pay the cost.

According to Prof. Venkateswaran, the offer came from the Government itself and Chief Minister Y. S. Rajashekhara Reddy was very particular about its establishment. That he is very keen on the projects stems from the reports sent to BITS offering concessions and total support from the State Government.

Craze for BITS

The reason for choosing Hyderabad is not only the total support extended by the Government but also the craze for BITS education among Telugus. Incidentally, till BITS came up with its own entrance examination last year students from the State literally dominated grabbing a major share of seats at the Pilani campus.

Prof. Venkateswaran said the education offered by BITS was very good and unique and their effort was to bring in the maximum number of students under their fold.

"It is the only reason for expansion and the State Government has come out with wholehearted support." The Vice Chancellor declined to spell out the financial expenditure for the campus but, however, said it would be a large campus and will offer all the courses.

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