8 yrs on, Dalash polytechnic institute stays only on paper

Eight years after its announcement, the proposed polytechnic institute at Dalash, Anni subdivision, remains entangled in bureaucratic red tape. Despite repeated assurances and the completion of departmental formalities by local representatives, the project is still awaiting clearance under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA), casting uncertainty over its future.

Announced in 2016 by then Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh during the Congress-led government, the institute aimed to bring quality technical education to students in the region. A foundation stone was laid in Nirmand ahead of the 2017 Assembly elections. However, following a change in government, the BJP-led administration denotified the project, citing incomplete formalities during its initial announcement.

In 2018, the BJP government revived the project, reapproving it in the cabinet and sanctioning 97 posts along with five technical trades. This raised hopes among local residents. Yet, seven years later, progress remains stalled due to procedural bottlenecks, primarily the pending FCA clearance.

The institute has since become a recurring promise during both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. However, visible progress has been negligible. Local resident Bansi Lal voiced the community’s frustration, stating, “Every election season, parties promise us this institute, but once elected, they forget. No one seriously addresses the FCA issue.”

The proposed Dalash Polytechnic Institute holds great significance for the region. It is expected to benefit thousands of students from Anni and nearby constituencies, many of whom are currently forced to travel far for technical education. Its establishment would bring higher education within reach for rural youth and help curb migration to cities.

Official files concerning the institute have been shuffling between departments, with no concrete timeline for resolution. Anni BDC Chairman Vijay Kanwar criticized the administrative delay, saying, “The files have gathered dust in offices for years. It’s high time authorities act decisively.”

Director of Technical Education, Akshay Sood, stated that delays stem from objections raised by the Central Government regarding the layout plan of the building.

“The Public Works Department’s Chief Architect is revising the plan to address these objections. Once finalised, it will be sent back for approval,” he said.

With public discontent growing, residents and local leaders are calling for immediate action. They demand swift clearance of the FCA and completion of remaining formalities to ensure the institute becomes operational soon. Until then, the vision of a polytechnic institute in Dalash remains unfulfilled—locked in government files and lost in administrative delays.