Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 2: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) and Government has clarified that no land has been acquired for establishing a new NIT campus in Pulwama district of South Kashmir.
The clarification came through affidavits submitted by the NIT and the DC Pulwama, before the tribunal.
On the basis of affidavits filed by the Director of NIT Srinagar and the DC Pulwama, the NGT’s Principal Bench, headed by Justice Prakash Srivastava, dismissed the original application filed by activist Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat.
The tribunal deemed the application premature, as the respondents had neither acquired land nor axed any trees.
However, the NGT’s order stated that the applicant is at liberty to approach the Tribunal if any cause of action arises in the future.
Dr Raja had approached the NGT earlier this year with the plea that the state authorities were planning to cut a large number of green trees of various species standing in the horticultural zone of Newa, in the Qariwa-Ranbirpora area, for setting up a new NIT campus.
Considering the grievance raised by the applicant, the Tribunal, by its order dated 01.04.2025, had issued a notice to the respondents-NIT Srinagar, DC Pulwama, and others-and had also directed the Director, NIT, to disclose the entire plan for the construction of the NIT campus and the number of trees proposed to be cut in the process.
NIT Srinagar filed a response stating that no land had been allotted, transferred, or handed over to NIT Srinagar in the Newa Karewas.
It added that NIT Srinagar is currently operating from a small campus of approximately 67 acres in the Hazratbal area of Srinagar.
“The reply reveals that the Respondent No. 5-NIT Srinagar is making efforts for allotment of land, but no such allotment has been made till now,” reads the affidavit filed by NIT Srinagar before NGT.
“That the Answering Respondent most humbly submits and clarifies that no land has been allotted, transferred, or handed over to NIT Srinagar at Newa Karewas, Pulwama, or elsewhere. Further, no possession of the proposed land has been taken. Thus, the Applicant’s claims regarding felling of trees, ecological degradation, or biodiversity loss are premature and devoid of merits and factual basis.”
The Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, also filed a reply along with an affidavit dated 24.07.2025, taking the same stand as NIT Srinagar.
The NIT, in its reply, clearly stated that any project, if undertaken, would be carried out with all requisite permissions. The reply stated:
As both respondents clearly stated that they had neither acquired the land nor chopped any trees, the NGT held the application premature and dismissed it.
However, the Tribunal made it clear in its order that the applicant could approach the Tribunal again if NIT Srinagar or the DC Pulwama takes up any construction work or begins cutting trees in the area.
The order, passed by Justice Prakash Srivastava (Chairman, NGT) and Dr Senthil Veil (Expert Member), reads: “Having regard to the above, we are of the view that the OA at this stage is pre-mature. Hence, it is dismissed, however, with the liberty to the Applicant to approach the Tribunal, if any cause of action arises in future.”
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