DD Correspondent
JAMMU: In a significant development for the University of Jammu (JU), the long-pending issue concerning 147 kanals and 11 marlas of land adjoining its main campus at Rakh Bahu, which is currently under the possession of the Army, has been resolved. The development will enable the University to address its growing requirements for academic and infrastructural expansion.
As per a letter from the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, the UT Administration of Jammu and Kashmir will hand over 2,062 kanals and 17 marlas of land in Tehsil Nagrota and 62 kanals of land in Tehsil Jammu to the Army in lieu of the land currently under its possession adjoining the University’s main campus.
The matter dates back to the original allotment of land for the establishment of the University campus in 1973. Of the land allotted by the then State Government at Rakh Bahu, a portion remained under Army possession. Over the years, the University, in coordination with the J&K Government, continued to pursue the matter with the concerned authorities at various levels.
The issue gained renewed momentum over the last four years after Prof. Umesh Rai assumed charge as Vice-Chancellor. The University took up the matter with the Ministry of Defence and subsequently pursued it in coordination with the J&K administration, defence authorities and other concerned departments, with crucial support and intervention from Lok Bhawan, Jammu and Kashmir.
The process envisages the exchange of 147 kanals and 11 marlas of land adjoining the University campus.
Welcoming the development, University of Jammu Vice-Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai described it as a historic step towards meeting the University’s future academic and developmental requirements.
Prof. Rai and the entire University fraternity expressed their heartfelt gratitude to President of India Droupadi Murmu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and Chancellor of the University of Jammu Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Indian Army for their support and cooperation in facilitating the resolution of the long-pending matter.
He also placed on record the University’s appreciation for Dr. Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, for his sustained support and coordination; the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, for his instrumental and solution-oriented role; the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu; the Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir; local defence authorities; civil society; and all other stakeholders whose efforts contributed to bringing the matter to its present stage.
Prof. Rai said that resolving an issue of this nature required sustained coordination among various institutions and authorities, and the University deeply appreciated the support extended by all concerned.
Recognising the long institutional history of the matter, the Vice-Chancellor also appreciated the efforts of his predecessors and successive University administrations in pursuing the issue over the years.
“The University has grown considerably over the years, with new academic programmes, research initiatives and student facilities adding to its requirements. The availability of the vacated land will help us plan future development in a more systematic manner and create the infrastructure required for our students, scholars and faculty,” Prof. Rai said.
“This has been possible because of the support and cooperation of all those involved. The University is grateful for this collective effort and will make the best possible use of this opportunity to strengthen its academic and research facilities for the benefit of its students and scholars,” the Vice-Chancellor added.
With the long-pending issue now resolved, the University plans to utilise the additional space from a long-term perspective, with emphasis on developing academic and research infrastructure, promoting innovation and strengthening student facilities.