Telangana: IIIT Basar forced to extend Dasara break due to water shortage

As Telangana is facing a water crisis, the Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT) in Basar of Telangana’s Nirmal district, commonly known as RGUKT IIIT Basar, has postponed reopening the college after Dasara holidays due to water shortage. Classes have been shifted online, as the administration explores alternative water sources. 

The college was initially scheduled to re-open on October 22 after a 10-day Dasara break. 

Vice Chancellor A Govardhan said that the campus has been receiving only half its daily water requirement from the Godavari river, The New Indian Express reported. The campus houses around 9,000 students and 1,000 staff members, requiring 20 lakh litres of water a day. 

IIIT Basar gets its water supply from an intake well on the Godavari river built in 2010. Only one of the three pumping motors that supply water from the intake well are reportedly functioning. Water levels in the river have fallen severely low, disrupting the supply, as a result of the rainfall deficit due to the El Niño weather phenomenon. 

The reservoir on campus is filled only up to 10% of its capacity, as there is no water inflow into the Godavari from Maharashtra or from the Sriramsagar Project, according to Deccan Chronicle. 

RGUKT offers a six-year integrated BTech course which students can join after class 10, which involves a two-year Pre-University Course (equivalent to Telangana Intermediate) followed by  a four-year engineering course. 

IIIT Basar has witnessed frequent student protests in the past due to concerns over food quality, medical facilities, inadequate teaching faculty and other such issues.