The demand to grant university status to Shailabala Women’s Autonomous College in Cuttack has gained attention, with Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj stating that the state government is seriously examining the proposal. He emphasised that infrastructure development, land allocation, and staff strengthening are essential before upgrading the institution.
Students had been staging protests for 28 days, including a day-long sit-in, demanding university recognition for the 113-year-old college. Barabati-Cuttack MLA Sofia Firdous and BJP leader Sritam Das visited the protest site and held discussions, after which students withdrew their agitation.
The minister explained that upgrading a university requires Rs 50–70 crore, while establishing a new one needs Rs 300–350 crore along with recurring costs. He assured that the government would take an appropriate decision after proper evaluation and discussions.
