Gondwana University Has Applied for Engineering Programme Approval in Gadchiroli: Govt to Council Nagpur: Five technical education institutions are already operational in Gadchiroli district, and Gondwana University has applied to the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for approval to start an engineering degree programme from the 2026-27 academic year, the Maharashtra Legislative Council was informed on Tuesday. MLCs Amol Mitkari and others raised concerns about the lack of technical institutions in Gadchiroli, an aspirational district, questioning whether this absence forces students to travel elsewhere and hinders their access to government schemes. Higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil refuted the claim. The five institutions currently functioning in the district include one government diploma in engineering college, two unaided pharmacy diploma institutes, and one unaided MBA institute. Gondwana University’s application for a full engineering degree course at its University Institute of Technology is under review by AICTE. However, no specific timeline for the regulator’s decision was disclosed. The discussion highlighted the need for improved technical education infrastructure in Gadchiroli, which has been identified as a priority area for development. Critics argue that the absence of higher education facilities in the region limits opportunities for local students, compelling them to seek education in distant cities. The minister emphasized that the existing institutions are sufficient to meet current demands, though the pending approval for a new engineering programme could address future needs.#chandrakant_patil #gadchiroli #gondwana_university #all_india_council_for_technical_education #mlc_amol_mitkari
