Mysore/Mysuru: Polytechnic education in Mysuru city is set to get a major technological boost, with the State Government planning to establish a first-of-its-kind sensor design lab at Government CPC Polytechnic College in N.R. Mohalla at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.25 crore.

The proposed hi-tech facility, under the State’s Innovation Labs Scheme, aims to strengthen technical education, research and innovation. The initiative is being implemented jointly by the Karnataka Startup Cell and the Department of Electronics, IT and BT.

Once operational, the lab will focus on developing sensor-based technologies in areas such as biophotonics, optical biosensors, photonic design and instrumentation, biomedical signal processing, data analysis and biosafety. It will also support research, testing and innovation in medical and biotechnology-related fields.

The CPC Polytechnic was selected for the project based on a proposal submitted by Selection Grade Lecturer B. Ranjith Gowda to Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS). Of the nearly 2,000 proposals received from polytechnic institutions across the State, only 20 were shortlisted, including this one.

The facility will be open not only to students of the college but also to those from polytechnics in neighbouring districts also.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Ranjith Gowda said that Rs. 1.25 crore has been sanctioned for the project. Of this, Rs. 55 lakh has already been released in the first phase a few days ago. The remaining funds will be disbursed in stages: Rs. 35 lakh in the second phase, Rs. 25 lakh in the third phase and Rs. 5 lakh each in the fourth and fifth phases.

The exact location for the lab within the college campus is yet to be finalised. Once identified, work on establishing the facility will begin. The sanctioned funds will be used for procuring equipment and developing basic infrastructure.