Rs 24.8 crore sanctioned for Maritime Institute

KOLLAM: The sanctioning of Rs 24.8 crore for the construction of the campus of Maritime Institute at Neendakara here, has given a major boost to the institute’s dream of securing the accreditation of the Directorate General of Shipping.The announcement in this regard was made by the Fisheries and Port Minister K Babu in Thiruvananthapuram the other day.  Having secured the approval of the DG shipping, the institute would be able to offer courses certified by the Indian Maritime University. The courses certified by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) will also be conducted at the centre. The allocation came against a proposal for `30 crore for the construction of the institute building and for the purchase of equipment.  The institute was inaugurated on May 4, 2010, by the former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan.Port Minister had announced during September last that the institute would be developed as a hub for Maritime education in the state. Training manager of the institute E Sreedharan told ‘Express’ that the institute was envisaged by the Port Department to give quality training at a time when many unauthorised maritime institutes are operating in the state without government recognition. “The institute has already trained over 5,000 students under the Boat Crew training programme. It has also played a major role in reducing the accidents in inland navigation in the state,” he said. The campus would be located on the 10 acres of land attached to the Neendakara Port. The proposed buildings include academic blocks, parade ground, customised swimming pools for training, class rooms, hostels for students and faculty members, Internet cafe and library. A mini shopping mall and park in the lake front are also proposed. A rest place for those travelling through the NH would also be arranged in front of the campus. The construction of the campus will comply with the standards set by the DG Shipping. The campus is constructed with the cooperation of NABARD under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund.