‘Land grabbing’: New NIT Srinagar campus planned on 600 acres draws criticism

NEW DELHI: The allotment of over 500 acres in the Kashmir valley for the establishment of a new campus of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar has drawn mixed reactions from academicians, students, alumni, and politicians. The deputy commissioner’s office at Pulwama has initiated the transfer of state land measuring 4,834 Kanals and 19 Marlas for the new NIT Srinagar campus.

In order to expedite the process, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has constituted a team of officials including Naib Tehsildar Newa, Naib Tehsildar Kakapora, GQ Trich, GQ Parigam, Pat Patalbagh, Pat Kangan, Pat Newa.

Many termed the move “land grabbing” and called it unnecessary. Some researchers weighed in on the matter and argued that the decision will impact the ecology of the ‘heaven on earth’.

New NIT Srinagar campus draws flak

Waheed Para, member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Pulwama welcomed the new NIT campus but asked for compensation and threatened resistance. “Pulwama welcomes the establishment of an NIT, but seizing 5000 Kanals of land is unacceptable. Without fair compensation and guaranteed jobs for locals, this project will face strong resistance,” the MLA said in a post on X.

Former J-K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti asked the need to ‘seize’ land. Taking to X, she said, “Grabbing land in Kashmir under the ruse of ‘development’ in J&K continues unabated. Pray tell what’s the need to seize 5000 Kanals of prime agricultural land in Pulwama to establish a NIT? If education was such a priority why have a lopsided reservation in the first place?”

A Kashmiri, on the other hand, took the centre’s side and expressed frustration over the opposition to the NIT campus. “Why does the central government bother with modern infrastructure for people who protest everything? A railway line to Srinagar—protests. A 600-acre state-of-the-art NIT—protests, claiming "land grab." This stone-age mentality deserves a horse stable, not progress!,” he remarked.

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A postdoctoral fellow raised eyebrows on the requirement of the large-scale set up, referring to international campuses built in much smaller spaces. In a thread, he explained his argument. “J&K Admin plans Kashmir Valley's largest engineering college: approx. 600 acres! That is double University College Dublin, Europe's largest urban campuses, and triple Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But why this immense scale for an engineering college? It is not even a regional engineering college but a National Institute of Technology where a significant portion of students are likely not to be Kashmiris? Just look at NIT Srinagar's student demographics for reference.”

“Proposed NIT Pulwama is 4834 kanals (approx. 600 acres). J&K's largest HEI, University of Kashmir, is only 247 acres. Do you really need this much land for creating an institution of academic excellence? MIT is only 168 acres. UCD Ireland 330 acres. 600 acres is a massive conversion of fertile agricultural land. Existing infrastructure projects have already devoured prime land in ecologically sensitive Kashmir Valley. Now, this? Where is the ecological concern? SDG compliance?,” he added.

An NIT Srinagar student feels that there is no need for a south campus, however, a mechanical engineering alumni believes that more land is crucial for growth. “NIT Srinagar’s 67-acre campus limits growth, unlike IIT Kharagpur (2,100 acres) and IIT Madras (620 acres). More land is vital for improved facilities, research, and innovation, driving development in the Kashmir Valley,” the ex-student said.