ITANAGAR :  Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism Suresh Gopi on Monday reviewed the infrastructure and pending development works at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Itanagar campus, and assured speedy completion of the projects.

Suresh Gopi, who is also president of the FTII and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) Itanagar Society, visited the institute to assess infrastructural gaps and review ongoing works that are to be taken up with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The Union minister was received by Education Minister P D Sona, who accompanied him during the inspection. Lower Dibang Valley Deputy Commissioner Lobsang Tsering, Women and Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul and Director of Information and Public Relations Gijum Tali were also present.

During the visit, the minister held detailed discussions with officials of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and representatives of M/S Kenge Construction regarding the progress of ongoing projects and challenges affecting timely completion of infrastructure.

He reviewed the status of buildings and facilities related to the acting and screenplay departments and expressed concern over the delay in completion of key infrastructure.

Taking serious note of the issue, Suresh Gopi directed the CPWD to prioritise the pending works and execute them on a war footing.

“The students have already suffered and faced difficulties in their curriculum due to the non-completion of vital buildings,” the minister said while assuring that all possible efforts would be made to expedite the works and strengthen the institute’s infrastructure.

The FTII Itanagar campus currently offers three two-year postgraduate Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programmes in Screen Acting, Screenwriting and Documentary Cinema.

Earlier this year, students of the institute had staged protests over inadequate infrastructure and lack of basic facilities, including sound studios and cathode ray tube (CRT) units, which affected their academic and practical training.

Speaking on the occasion, Education Minister P D Sona expressed gratitude to the Union minister for personally reviewing the infrastructural requirements of the institute.

The visit also boosted the morale of students, many of whom have been demanding timely completion of facilities essential for their academic and professional training. (DIPR)