Imphal: Government of Manipur spokesperson and MLA Thokchom Radheshyam today stated the State Government’s position on the construction of the permanent campus of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Manipur, during a press briefing held at his Official Quarter, Sanjenthong, Imphal East.
Addressing the media, Thokchom Radheshyam said that the State Government remains committed to establishing a permanent campus of NIT Manipur and that all necessary efforts are being made to identify a suitable and feasible site for the institution.
NIT Manipur, an Institute of National Importance, is presently functioning from Lamphelpat. Ten NITs, including NIT Manipur, were sanctioned by the Government of India in November 2010, while the construction project for the permanent campus was taken up in 2012. Subsequently, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and NIT Manipur for construction of the permanent campus.
The State Government had allotted around 300 acres of land at Lamphelpat for the project. However, the site was subsequently found to be highly marshy and unsuitable for construction. Soil testing and consultations with experts indicated that extensive piling and specialised foundation works would be required.
In view of the technical difficulties and significant escalation in the estimated cost, the Government of India indicated that the project could not be continued at the existing location and that the campus would have to be shifted to a suitable alternative site.
He further stated that the Registrar and staff of NIT Manipur had approached the Hon’ble Chief Minister regarding the matter. The Chief Minister assured them that a permanent campus of NIT Manipur would be established and that suitable land would be identified and allotted at the earliest.
The Government emphasised that NIT Manipur is a matter of pride for the State and assured that every possible effort would be made to ensure that students are not deprived of quality technical education due to the delay in establishing the permanent campus.
The Government reiterated its commitment to strengthening the education sector and assured that all necessary steps would be taken for the early identification and allotment of a suitable site for the permanent campus of NIT Manipur.
The press briefing was attended by Hon’ble MLA Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh.
