Only 50 % funds utilized in four years: Uncertainty, communication clampdown hit NIT upgrade

Srinagar, Dec 11: Prestigious National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar has become the latest causality to the internet clampdown in Kashmir.

After jumping deadlines for four years, the government was planning to complete the project under Prime Minister Development Package (PMDP) by September this year. Officials said uncertainty coup-led with communication blockade post abrogation of Article 370 hit the project hard.

 “We were planning to spend all amount released till September this year but the communication lockdown derailed everything,” said an official at NIT.

In 2016, the Central Government sanctioned Rs 100 crore under the PMDP scheme for upgrading NIT Srinagar. However, over the last four years, Rs 70 crore has been released, of which only Rs 46 crore has been utilized so far.

“The sanction of Rs 100 crore was aimed to give major push to infrastructure development. Out of which Rs 70.36 crore has been released and Rs 45.69 crore has been spent. It will take few more years to spend all the approved funds of Rs 100 crore,” said the official

Student centric schemes, hostel development, development of playground, laying of artificial turfs, library, establishment of health center, upgrading classrooms into smart classrooms, setting up of earthquake center and providing other facilities is part of Rs 100 crore project

Sources said around Rs 18.06 crore has  so far been spent on data center and computer service center, Rs 2.8 crore  on students hostel, Rs 36 lakhs on modernized medical facilities, Rs three crore on physical education and Rs 10 crore on upgradation of library.

Professor Mohammad Farooq Wani, Dean Faculty Welfare and Coordinator for PMDP NIT said the remaining amount will be released once they provide the certificate of utilization.

“It will be submitted soon. More than Rs 30 crore is in tendering process. The developmental works have been resumed. We will pick up the pace soon and utilize the approved funds before the end of this financial year,” he said.