T’puram: The inordinate delay on part of the state govt in allotting the land identified for setting up the Central University of Kerala (CUK) campus in Thiruvananthapuram has put the university and students in a tight spot. Despite several appeals from CUK authorities, the state govt failed to hand over 5 acres of land identified at Andoorkonam in Nedumangad. It is alleged that the govt file for the land allotment is pending with the higher education department for clearance. The state finance department sent a proposal to provide 5 acres of govt land on lease to the higher education dept after obtaining clearance from the revenue department. It is alleged that the finance department moved the file to the higher education minister as part of slow pedalling on the project. The land in Nedumangad was identified after a couple of similar land allotment proposals in the district failed to materialize. The temporary CUK campus started functioning in Thiruvananthapuram in 2014. The campus functions in a rented building, at a cost of Rs 15 lakh per month. Yet the university could offer only limited courses on account of the inadequate facilities. Only one subject is offered in the four-year degree course. The university has plans to complete the construction of a permanent campus and start more courses. If there is a delay in obtaining land for the permanent campus, the university will be compelled to abandon the campus in the capital. CUK informed the same to the state govt. In addition to reducing the university’s financial burden, the initiation of modern study and research courses in the new campus would greatly benefit students, as highlighted by CUK’s vice-chancellor in a letter to the chief minister in 2024. Save University Campaign Committee submitted a petition to the CM, urging the govt to take immediate action to avoid delays in allocating land for establishing a permanent campus in the capital.
