NIT Manipur relocation driven by construction unfeasibility: BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam

BJP MLA and Manipur Government spokesperson Thokchom Radheshyam Singh on Tuesday, August 11 defended the state government’s decision to relocate the permanent campus of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Manipur, saying construction at the existing site at Lamphelpat was found to be technically unfeasible.

Radheshyam made the remarks at a press conference held at his official quarters in Imphal in response to opposition from the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) over the proposed relocation of the institute.

According to Radheshyam, the decision to establish NIT Manipur was taken in 2012 when the then government approved the setting up of 10 NITs. Around 300 acres of land at Lamphelpat was subsequently allotted for construction of the NIT Manipur campus.

He said the Lamphelpat site is a wetland area that plays an important role in flood control and has environmental and biodiversity significance.

Radheshyam said an MoU was subsequently signed between NIT Manipur and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) for construction of the institute. He claimed that soil testing conducted at the initial stage indicated that the site was not suitable for conventional construction.

According to the BJP MLA, the marshy nature of the land would require extensive piling and increase the cost of construction.

“Why can’t the previous government straight away shift the location of NIT when an expert team pointed out its lack of feasibility?” Radheshyam asked, questioning the Congress party’s criticism of the present government’s decision.

He said the decision to relocate the institute was taken after considering the difficulties in proceeding with construction at Lamphelpat and the need to establish a permanent campus for the institution.

Radheshyam also said NIT Manipur has been operating from temporary facilities, including the Polytechnic Campus and the Deit Institution Campus at Salam Village, as construction of its permanent campus could not progress at the allotted Lamphelpat site.

He accused the Congress of attempting to portray Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh as being unaware of the issue and said the relocation decision was taken after considering the feasibility of the existing site and the interests of students.

The issue has triggered a political dispute in Manipur, with the MPCC strongly opposing the proposed shift of NIT Manipur’s permanent campus from the existing allotted site.

The Congress has alleged that the government’s decision disregards years of planning and the progress made during the previous Congress-led government.

The relocation proposal has therefore emerged as a fresh point of contention between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress over the future permanent campus of NIT Manipur.