IMPHAL, AUG 7: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has opposed the state government’s reported proposal to shift the permanent campus of NIT Manipur to Kakching, arguing that 341.5 acres had already been acquired and cleared for the institute at its original site in 2014–15.
At a press conference in Imphal led by MPCC president and former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Congress leaders questioned the rationale for relocating the campus, saying land acquisition and compensation to pattadars had already been completed.
Ibobi said claims of waterlogging at the existing site were limited to a small area where temporary barracks had been constructed as an interim arrangement, while permanent buildings were intended to come up on higher ground within the same campus.
Former Education minister Moirangthem Okendro said construction of permanent infrastructure had already begun and questioned the decision to abandon the site without a formal assessment.
He accused the successive governments of failing to make substantial progress on the permanent campus over the past decade, saying the latest proposal to relocate the institute appeared to stem from administrative lapses rather than any compelling practical requirement.
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The MPCC maintained that shifting the campus was unnecessary and urged the people of Manipur, particularly student bodies and other stakeholders, to examine the project’s history, question the rationale behind the proposed relocation and engage in public discussions before any final decision is made.
The opposition party then urged student organisations and other stakeholders to examine the project’s history and scrutinise the government’s reasons before any final decision is taken.
