Manipur says it remains committed to permanent NIT campus; site change under consideration
Manipur’s government says it will establish a permanent campus for NIT Manipur. Officials said the earlier Lamphelpat land was unsuitable and the Centre asked a
Manipur’s government has said it is committed to setting up a permanent campus for the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Manipur. During a press briefing in Imphal, Government spokesperson and MLA Thokchom Radheshyam outlined the State’s position on the campus project and said efforts are underway to find a suitable site.
Current NIT operations and project timeline
NIT Manipur is presently functioning from Lamphelpat. The institute was among NITs sanctioned by the Government of India in November 2010, and work on the permanent campus project began in 2012. Officials said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was later signed between the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and NIT Manipur for the construction of the permanent campus.
As part of the plan, the State government allotted around 300 acres of land at Lamphelpat. However, the site was found to be highly marshy and unsuitable for construction. Soil testing and consultations with experts pointed to the need for extensive piling and specialised foundation work.
Why the campus location may shift
According to the government briefing, technical difficulties and a rise in the estimated cost led the Government of India to indicate that the project could not continue at the existing location. The Centre said the campus would need to shift to a suitable alternative site.
Radheshyam said the Registrar and staff of NIT Manipur also approached the Chief Minister about the matter. He added that the Chief Minister assured them that a permanent campus would be established and that suitable land would be identified and allotted at the earliest. The government described NIT Manipur as a matter of pride for the State.
The spokesperson further said the State is emphasising quality technical education and that steps will be taken to ensure students are not deprived of academic continuity due to the delay in finalising the permanent campus site. The press briefing was attended by MLA Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh.
