4 new engineering colleges for West Bengal

The state government will set up four engineering colleges in Darjeeling, Alipurduar, Purulia and Murshidabad.

It is after almost 16 years that the government has planned to build such institutes that will help expand technical education in backward districts like Purulia and Murshidabad.

The engineering colleges will be set up entirely with government funds. At present, there are six government engineering colleges in the state which include two in Kolkata and one each in Kalyani, Behrampore, Jalpaiguri and Serampore.

Private players played a major role in expanding engineering education in West Bengal as more and more private investors set up institutes," added another higher education department.

If new engineering colleges are set up, students will have to pay less fees as compared to private institutes. "The lump sum charged by the private colleges sometimes ruins a family since they bleed heavily after paying the fee.

Despite a cap on the fee these institutes can charge, complaints pour in regarding the violation of norms..
Around 300 students will be given admissions from the 2014-2015 session. "It will take around two years to prepare the infrastructure..

At present, the entire district of Purulia or even Darjeeling does not have any engineering college.
Though Jalpaiguri has one government engineering college which was established way back in 1961, it is not sufficient for Dooars and hardly caters to the huge demand among students.

Thus, another government engineering college has been planned in the same district since North Bengal has enormous importance..

"A minimum 5 acres is required for each college.

 There will be adequate funds provided for the colleges. Moreover, students will benefit from the hostels and well equipped libraries which shall also be an integral part of the colleges.

The students will find a place in these colleges through WBJEE. Initially, the most popular streams like electronics and telecommunications, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil and B.Pharma will be opened. Later, the government may include more streams.