Matunga college plans expansion

The Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Matunga, popularly known as UDCT, is set for expansion.

Institute authorities are planning to set up a satellite campus in or around the city. A detailed proposal of the plan is yet to be made to the state. However, the idea has been floated. In a bid to expand in the current location, ICT is also seeking an increase in the floor space index (FSI) from the state.

On Thursday, ICT director, GD Yadav, met higher and technical education minister, Rajesh Tope, with the proposal. Tope said, “The institute is planning a complete overhaul of their campus. They want the state to provide them land for a satellite campus either in suburbs, Thane or the Mumbai-Pune corridor. We have asked them to submit a detailed proposal.”

The 75-year-old institute, spread over 16 acres, has long been trying to expand its campus. Tope said, ICT is also seeking an FSI of 5.66. “Given the FSI for any educational institute, the FSI consumption of ICT is quite under-utilised. They will not have any problem in getting the permission from the government,” he said.

Yadav had appealed to all its alumni to contribute towards the expansion plan. He had then mentioned that the institute needs at least Rs100 crore. Yadav said, “The institute is world-famous in terms of the patents we produce. We want to make our resources available to many more students and also encourage research.”

However, Tope said that the institute is not short of funds. “They get donations from the alumni. Since it is one of the leading institutions for research in chemical technology, it also gets funding from central departments, such as the departments of atomic energy, science and technology. They require help only in policy matters. We are considering their satellite campus proposal. If state approves it, we will make land available,” he added.