Latest news with #VNIT


Time of India
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Bawankule Pushes for Quality Audit By VNIT Of All ZP Works
Nagpur: To improve the standard of development work in rural areas, guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced that a quality control policy will soon be implemented for projects under the zilla parishad. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking at a review meeting on Monday, Bawankule emphasised strict enforcement to ensure accountability and better use of govt funds. Over the past five years, the zilla parishad has spent over Rs1,000 crore on various development projects in Nagpur district. These include infrastructure such as roads, school classrooms, and sanitation facilities. However, concerns were repeatedly raised about substandard work and the use of low-quality materials. Minister of state for finance and agriculture Ashish Jaiswal also criticised the poor condition of govt buildings, pointing out that despite budget allocations, their quality often does not reflect the investment. "The quality work can't be seen in the completed structures," he said, calling for immediate corrective measures. A major point of contention was the use of paver blocks in road construction in rural areas. Bawankule expressed dissatisfaction with the widespread use of old paver blocks and ordered that no new roads be constructed using them. Instead, he recommended roads be built to the standard of those in Ramtek. In a significant move, Bawankule directed that all development work carried out over the past three years be audited by a third party — VNIT (Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology) — to assess quality and identify gaps. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He further instructed that future funds be prioritised for essential sectors such as healthcare, education, sanitation, and clean drinking water. Local representatives were asked to decide funding priorities based on community trust and necessity, ensuring development projects genuinely serve public interest.


Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
60% IT workforce of Pune & Mumbai is from Vidarbha: TCS Centre Head
Nagpur: Dispelling long-standing assumptions about the employable talent in Vidarbha, Arvind Kumar, centre head of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), revealed that nearly 60% of the IT workforce in Pune and Mumbai comes from Vidarbha. Speaking at the VISTAAR industry-academia conclave hosted by Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Kumar said this statistic alone proves the untapped potential of Vidarbha as a growing reservoir of tech talent. "Many still believe that Vidarbha lacks skilled IT professionals, but the numbers say otherwise," Kumar noted. Reinforcing this, he shared that TCS hired 390 engineering interns from the region last year — more than from any other single region across India. Kumar traced this growing synergy between academia and industry to collaborative initiatives started nearly a decade ago. Back in 2015, when VNIT supported the formation of IIIT Nagpur, discussions began around transforming traditional engineering education. This led to the conceptualisation of a six-month internship model aimed at ensuring students graduate with hands-on, job-ready experience. "The idea was simple — bridge the classroom with the workplace. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo We wanted young engineers who could hit the ground running," Kumar said. Highlighting a recent initiative, Kumar spoke about a six-month hackathon organised by TCS, where 23 real-world industrial problems relevant to Nagpur's local industries were tackled by teams of students and faculty. "It wasn't just about solving problems; it was about instilling confidence. Interns who were initially hesitant eventually emerged as capable contributors," he said. Kumar stressed that mentorship, industry exposure, and real engagement are critical in shaping young talent. "Industries need to move beyond expecting ready-made professionals. They must invest in nurturing students, understand their context, and build pathways for growth," he said. He also urged academic institutions to proactively reach out to industry partners and form meaningful collaborations. Reflecting on his connection with VNIT, Kumar called it a growing, purposeful partnership and gave a call to action: "Real growth happens when academia and industry move in sync — not just in intention, but in execution." Addressing the gathering earlier, VNIT director Prem Lal Patel also stressed on the need for meaningful interaction between academia and industry to enable the students to face challenges in the real world. "This is a tool to supplement each other, and that would happen only if we can have extensive interaction with each other," he asserted, thus laying stress on the need for interaction with one another. Emphasising the importance of work exposure, he said that VNIT now allows 8th semester students to undertake longer internships, provided they have enough credit points till the 7th semester. He also invited industry participation through the Boards of Studies and Senate membership. A joint assessment of projects like VTEC and FTEC was suggested to sync academic work with industrial needs. "We can work together and assess, and also get an idea of what the industry needs are," he added further.


Time of India
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Butibori flyover opens for public after five months
Nagpur: Five months after the Butibori flyover was closed for traffic after a span caved in, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) opened it to the public on Saturday. The flyover was reopened following a comprehensive analysis by the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) of the crucial 48-hour load-bearing test, which concluded on Thursday. NHAI has temporarily closed the outermost lanes of the flyover on either side to carry out markings. "We have opened the flyover after receiving a nod from VNIT. Currently, the outermost lanes have been closed temporarily as markings are being done, which will be completed within a week. After this, lanes on both sides will be open, and motorists will be able to use the complete flyover. To stop the entry of heavy vehicles, which caused the damage last Dec, we are taking various steps, including putting markings on the road," said an NHAI official. The opening of the flyover has brought major relief to motorists coming from the Wardha and Chandrapur sides towards Nagpur and vice versa. "It is a big relief that the flyover has finally opened, as we used to get stuck in long traffic since it was closed," said a motorist. On Dec 24 last year, an overloaded heavy vehicle, weighing around 180-tonne, passed over the bridge, causing one of its spans on the Nagpur to Wardha side to cave in. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo This forced local police and NHAI officials to stop vehicular traffic on the bridge. The vehicle was later detained at a toll booth, and NHAI filed a police complaint against the driver and owner. The NHAI consulted VNIT after the incident. Following a detailed report from VNIT, NHAI carried out a series of structural reinforcements. Among the works carried out was the reinforcement of the struct pockets on the outer side of the bridge, which bore the brunt of the overloaded vehicle, with additional steel. Carbon lamination was also applied to the remaining structs to enhance overall structural integrity. The sunken slab was raised by applying a new layer of bitumen. The complete cost of repairs has been entirely borne by the private contractor, as the firm is responsible for the maintenance of the flyover. The span of the flyover caved in just three and a half years after the flyover was opened. It was built at the cost of Rs70 crore.


Time of India
21-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Vaidya urges students to embrace science
Nagpur: of Technological University Vice Chancellor Atul called for the dissemination of to become a 'movement' among the masses during the 'Vigyan Abhigna' programme, a two-day science-oriented workshop jointly organised by Vidarbha Pradesh and Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) recently. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Addressing an audience of about 150 students, parents, and teachers, Vaidya urged them to stay connected with Vigyan Bharati to foster a scientific outlook. "Develop our own scientific perspective without being afraid of science and with a studious attitude," he said, citing the recently tested missile as an example of the synergy between science and technology. Vaidya emphasised India's historical scientific legacy, noting that science is embedded in everyday activities, such as in kitchens, and in ancient practices like the Vedic calendar, which accurately uses the moon and sun's rotation. He advocated teaching science in the traditional Vedic way, stating, "India is a country with a scientific outlook beyond the past." The event, held at VNIT, saw participation from notable figures, including Maharashtra Animal and Fisheries University (MAFSU) Vice Chancellor Nitin Patil, Nagpur University Pro-Vice Chancellor Subhash Kondawar, and Vigyan Bharati national executive member Naresh Chaphekar. The workshop honoured winners of the Student Science Festival and selected participants from the science sanskar camp. MAFSU VC Nitin Patil highlighted science's transformative power, saying, "Things that were considered impossible yesterday were made possible by science moving forward." He noted that scientific advancements, from TV remotes to Covid vaccines and cutting-edge weapons, dispelled ignorance and revealed truths. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Subhash Kondawar detailed educational initiatives to nurture future scientists, urging students to "choose a subject of their choice, gain expertise in it, and build their future." Vigyan Bharati coordinator Professor Kishore Bhurchandi explained the concept of 'Vigyan Abhigna', emphasising the organisation's role in fostering scientific awareness among youth. Secretary Prakash Itankar encouraged students to pursue their interests and share knowledge through "teaching and learning." The workshop began with a lamp-lighting ceremony and included in-depth sessions at the Adhyayavaka Prabhya School at the Institute of Technology Nagpur. Vasundhara Sathe introduced the programme, while Prakash Soni, President of Soni Polymer and guest of honour, praised Vigyan Bharati's efforts. "Remain devoted to science throughout your lives and start innovative businesses," Soni advised students, recalling India's ancient title of "Soneki Chidiya" due to its scientific dominance. Naresh Chaphekar highlighted Vigyan Bharati's 38 branches across India, including Vidarbha, and its national and international contributions. The workshop concluded on May 20, leaving participants inspired to embrace science.


Time of India
17-05-2025
- Time of India
Hawkers Return To IT Park Road, Undermining ‘Freedom Footpath' Drive
Nagpur: The much-publicised 'Freedom Footpath' drive by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and city traffic police, which recently cleared illegal hawkers from the IT Park Road near VNIT main gate, has suffered a major setback. Just days after the encroachments were removed, hawkers have returned, once again occupying footpaths from Mate Chowk to VNIT gate. Traffic police and NMC had recently removed over 2,200 encroachments in just five days, including from the IT Park Road. A visit to the spot by TOI revealed a complete 180-degree turn from what it was a few days ago. During the recent anti-encroachment drive, footpaths and road edges previously blocked by unauthorised vendors were cleared, offering noticeable relief to pedestrians and easing traffic flow. However, the change was short-lived. Sheetal Waghmare, a student, expressed her frustration, stating that vehicles parked by vendors are once again causing congestion. "For a few days, the roads felt open and walkable, but now it feels like we're back to square one," she said. Lalit Pal, a security guard at a nearby college, highlighted the dangers these obstructions create. He pointed out that, beyond the inconvenience, the encroachments frequently cause minor accidents involving pedestrians and two-wheelers. A recent visit to the area revealed that most of the ousted stalls, food carts, and makeshift structures have returned. Footpaths are once again blocked, forcing pedestrians onto the roads. The edge of the street has become chaotic, with narrowed lanes and growing safety concerns for both commuters and walkers. Encroachments near VNIT College have become a recurring issue. Students and security staff claim that while the area saw marked improvement during the drive, the order was fleeting and has since dissolved into the familiar disorder. Speaking to TOI, Sanjay Kamble, assistant superintendent of NMC's enforcement department, said that as soon as NMC officials left the spot, the hawkers came back. "This is a recurring issue, we need to devise a permanent solution to this soon," Kamble said. He added that from Monday, NMC will intensify its efforts to curb such encroachments.