Bihar's Patna University to get two modern buildings at a cost of ₹147.29 Crore

• Patna University, the seventh oldest university in India, is set to receive two new 10-floor buildings at an estimated cost of ₹147.29 crore.
• The new buildings will be an academic & administrative block with an auditorium that can seat 700 people
• Ongoing construction projects include the examination block, international hostel, research center, and Dolphin Research Center, a G+7 Science block and G+9 PG and UG girls' hostels in the future

Patna University, the seventh oldest university in India, is slated to receive a much-needed infrastructure overhaul. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will lay the foundation stone for two 10-floor buildings at an estimated cost of Rs 147.29 crore later this month, after his request to convert the university into a central university was turned down in 2017. The buildings, an academic block and an administrative block with an auditorium that can seat 700 people, will be constructed on adjacent vacant land. The proposed plan also includes a G+7 Science block, G+9 PG girls' hostel, and G+9 UG girls' hostel to come up later at an estimated cost of Rs 151 crore.

Patna University Vice-Chancellor Girish Choudhary, himself an engineering professor, believes that the new modern buildings are essential due to growing requirements. He revealed that 18 research proposals had been sanctioned by various central research funding organizations in the last two years, and the university planned to fund minor research projects of its teachers. The institution also aims to implement the new education policy with the launch of a four-year honours undergraduate degree course.

Established in 1917 through the Patna University Act, Patna University was the first university in Bihar to implement the choice-based credit system (CBCS) and semester system for all UG & PG courses. The university has been the state's premier institution and celebrated its centenary year in 2017 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi gracing the occasion. Despite being the alma mater of many notable politicians, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD Chief Lalu Prasad, the university's bid for central university status was not successful.

In addition to the two new buildings, ongoing construction projects include the examination block at the Patna College campus, an international hostel east of PU Guest House, a research center at the Science College Campus, and a Dolphin Research Center near Patna Law College Campus. The international hostel, research center, and Dolphin research center buildings are almost complete, and the Population Research Center building proposal has also been approved. The university will also hold its alumni meet on March 12.