Jharkhand News: New DC orders clearing encroachments on IIT ISM Dhanbad Phase-2 land

SUBHASH MISHRA

Dhanbad, June 10: Newly appointed Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhanbad, Aditya Ranjan, has directed district officials to clear encroachments on the land allotted for IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s Phase-2 campus in Egyarahkund block, located about 42 km from the institute’s main premises.

During a review meeting on the progress of the Phase-2 campus construction, the DC instructed officials to expedite the land transfer process and take necessary action under the Bihar Public Land Encroachment Act, 1956, to remove encroachments from the site.

Also Read- Three Bangladeshis caught after escape from Hazaribag detention centre

Land Allotted in 2019, No Progress Yet

In 2019, the then Raghubar Das-led state government had allotted 226.90 acres to IIT ISM for its Phase-2 campus at Egyarahkund to facilitate expansion for new academic faculties and research laboratories.

However, despite six years having passed and funds sanctioned by the central government, IIT ISM has not yet been able to take possession of the land or begin construction, not even a boundary wall. The land transfer process stalled following a change in the state government later that year, when the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) came to power.

Encroachment and Official Apathy Stalled Project

In the intervening years, more than a dozen individuals occupied large portions of the land. Despite persistent efforts by IIT ISM officials—who reportedly made repeated visits to the district collectorate and block offices—they received no concrete response from local officials.

The Circle Officer of Egyarahkund reportedly did not cooperate with IIT ISM officials, leaving the project in limbo.

Also Read- Jharkhand News: Palamu DC orders health reforms after oxygen shortage death

DC Aditya Ranjan Steps In

Now, DC Aditya Ranjan has taken the issue seriously and reviewed the hurdles delaying the land handover. At the review meeting, he emphasized the need for swift action to resolve the encroachment and facilitate the institute’s expansion plans.

The meeting was attended by Additional District Collector (Law and Order) Piyush Sinha, Additional Collector Binod Kumar, DRDA Director Rajiv Ranjan, SDM Rajesh Kumar, local MLA Arup Chatterjee, government lawyer and Dhanbad Bar Association President Amrendra Sahay, Egyarahkund Circle Officer Krishna Kumar Marandi, and IIT ISM Registrar Pramod Kumar Pandey.