CUHP classes on Dehra campus to begin from next academic session

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, August 9

After a wait of over 13 years, the Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP) is all set to have its own campus. Sat Prakash Bansal, Vice-Chancellor of CUHP, while talking to The Tribune, said that the university classes would be held on its own campus at Dehra in Kangra district from the next academic session. He added that the construction of the Dehra campus was in full swing and would be completed by the year-end.

At present, the CUHP, which was started in 2010, does not have its own campus. The university classes are being conducted at three places in the rented premises of Government College, Shahpur, Government B.Ed College, Dharamsala, and a building in Dehra.

The Dehra campus of the CUHP will be ready by the year-end but uncertainty prevail over the other campus of the university at Jadrangal in the Dharamsala Assembly constituency. About 55 hectares of forestland has been identified in Jadrangal that need to be transferred in the name of the CUHP. The land has not been transferred as the state government has not deposited Rs 30 crore with the Forest Department for the purpose.

Asked about the status of the Jadrangal campus, Bansal said that the issue had been taken up with the state government, which was positive about transferring land in the name of the CUHP. “I hope that the land will be transferred to the CUHP soon so that the construction of the north campus at Jadrangal can also be started,” he added.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu was not available for comments over the issue despite repeated attempts to contact him over phone and requests through SMSes.

University sources said that most of science departments would be shifted to the Dehra campus from the next academic session. These departments were facing problems in setting up permanent laboratories in rented premises. The students were also facing the problem of hostel facility as the institution was being run from rented premises.

Uncertainty over Jadrangal campus

• Science departments to be shifted to the Dehra campus of the CUHP that will be ready by the year-end
• There is still uncertainty over other campus of the university at Jadrangal in the Dharamsala Assembly constituency
• About 55 hectares of forestland identified in Jadrangal for the campus has not been transferred to the university, as the state government has not paid ~30 crore for the purpose
• The Vice-Chancellor is positive that the government will transfer land to the university for the Jadrangal campus