Berhampur University likely to reopen on 12 November 2013

Cyclone-ravaged Berhampur University in Odisha's Ganjam district is likely to reopen on 12 November.

It was decided in a joint meeting of the PG council and the board of residents on yesterday.

"Classes will begin on the scheduled date only if power and drinking water supply are restored and construction of boundary walls of the ladies' hostels completed," said PG council Chairman Ashok Kumar Panigrahi.

The decision would be conveyed to the high power committee, constituted by vice-chancellor Deepak Kumar Behera to monitor the restoration work, he said, adding, a final decision, however, would be taken on 10 November.

The university was scheduled to open on 21 October after the puja vacation.

The university authorities extended the vacation for an indefinite period after the cyclone left behind a trail of devastation on the campus.

Besides several buildings, boundary walls of three girls' hostels collapsed, while doors and windows of all hostels were damaged.

Most trees on the campus were uprooted in the strong winds. Sources said the restoration work is in full swing. While the Odisha Forest Development Corporation cleared the debris, the public works department was undertaking the repair work.

PTI