By Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur: As a step forward towards establishment of Vikramshila Central University in Kahalgaon subdivision of Bhagalpur district, the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi has been engaged by central government for preparing Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the proposed university.
Earlier last week a sum of more than Rs 88 crore was released by state government for acquiring land for the planned university. Approximately 205.05 acres of land has identified by state government in Malakpur and Antichak moujas of Kahalgaon circle for the central university. The land identified for the new university is located close to the ruins of ancient Vikramshila University in Antichak village.
Replying to starred question of local MP Ajay Kumar Mandal in Lok Sabha on July 22, 2024, the minister of state for education Dr Sukanto Mazumdar informed about entrusting responsibility of preparing DPR of proposed university to school of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi.
As per written information made available from office of local MP, the minister informed in 2015 the state government was requested to provide 500 acres of land for the planned university.
However, since it was difficult identifying 500 acres of required land considering the fact the area is flood prone beside the land safe from flood point of view is located far from site of excavated ruins of ancient university, the state government proposed to make available 200 acres of land for the university initially, the minister informed.
He added state government has informed about identifying 300 acres of land in future for expansion of the university. In reply to question of MP whether any fund had been sanctioned previously for establishment of the university under PM package for state, the minister informed under PM package given for state in 2015 provision of Rs 500 crore was made for establishment of the university.
In written information made available from office of local MP it has been further stated that in reply to question of MP, the minister stated since central government bears expenditure of establishing central universities hence fund earmarked for the purpose is not transferred to state governments.
It may be mentioned establishment of Vikramshila Central University near ruins of ancient seat of learning alike Nalanda university is a long pending demand of people of this region.
With release of fund by state government for acquisition of land and central government move of engaging School of Planning and Architecture for preparing DPR of the proposed university has generated hope among people of this region about early fulfillment of their demand.
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- Writer Avijit Biswas, former principal correspondent of Hindustan Times Bhagalpur bureau, can be contacted at biswasavijit@yahoo.comContact number (mobile): +919431095516
