by Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur, Bihar, India: The grounded plan of establishing a new Vikramshila Central University near site of ancient Vikramshila University in Kahalgaon subdivision of this district is likely to take off soon.
Identification of total 205.49 acre land located in Malakpur and Antichak moujas of Kahalgaon subdivision for proposed university has generated hope decks for establishment of the university could be clear soon.
Following identification a report concerning the land has been sent to additional collector by Sub Divisional Officer and Deputy Collector Land Reforms, Kahalgaon besides Circle Officer, Khalagaon.
As per available information after inspection of identified land by district magistrate, proposal for acquisition of the land would be sent to state government for approval.
The total identified land includes more than 28 acres government land while remaining is private land. The identified land is located close to excavated ruins of ancient Vikramshila University in Antichak village.
Establishing a new university near ruins of ancient seat of learning is a long pending demand of people of this region. A central team besides local authorities had also visited Kahalgaon in recent past for identifying suitable land for central university.
The identified land regarding which report has been sent from sub division level as per information was found suitable for purpose of establishing university by central team and also by local authorities.
Initially in 2015 when establishment of central university was announced by central government it had been planned the university would come up on 500 acres of land.
However taking note of problem in ensuring availability of 500 acres of land at a particular site for the purpose besides high expenditure that would be needed for acquisition, decision for cutting land requirement was taken in 2017 at level of state government.
Since establishment of Vikramshila Central University was announced number of times process had been underway for identifying land required for the university. However finally there had been no headway in selection of land due to different reasons. An official who did not wanted to be quoted said this time it may be different taking into consideration the identified land could be consensus choice of both state and central authorities.
Location of the identified land close to excavated ruins of Vikramshila University makes it ideally suitable for establishment of central university, he added.
