The recent floods in Seemanchal region of Bihar that caused massive destruction all around added woes to the upcoming centre of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Centre at Kishanganj as well. Situated on the bank of Mahananda river, most of the area of the 224.02 acres campus of AMU Kishanganj Centre swamped with water. In addition to cutting the land of AMU Centre in its embankment side, the flooded Mahananda river caused major damage to the newly constructed boundary walls and resulted into financial loss to the University. It should be noted, that out of 224.02 acres land transferred to AMU by Bihar government, around 65 - 70 acres land is already lying in the waters of Mahananda river. Hence, right from beginning AMU has actually got around 150 – 155 acres land area that too is sandy and not much suitable for constructing multi-storey buildings.
The collapsing of the walls due to floods has come as a setback for the first phase of construction work at the upcoming campus of AMU at Kishanganj. But, at the same time the damage is also caused due to irregularities and poor quality work of the construction firm HSCL (Hindustan Steelworks Construction Limited). In fact, since the beginning the construction company is under scanner for irregularities in work and use of below the standard quality and quantity of materials like less thickness of iron rod, improper proportion of cement and sand, etc. The matter was brought to the notice of AMU administration last year by AMU alumni belonging to Kishanganj. In response, last year in first week of May, 2015, a team comprised of University Engineer Dr. Anwar Khursheed along with Mr. Nizami visited the Centre to assess the pace and quality of work. Dr. Raashid Nehal, Director, AMU Kishanganj Centre also accompanied the team to the site and inspected the boundary wall being constructed by HSCL. At that time Centre's Director, Dr. Nehal urged the University Engineer to depute a technical staff to supervise the construction project and maintain liaison between HSCL and AMU.
However, despite such guidance and follow ups with the construction firm, still irregularities were reported by the local people time-to-time. Now, the reality is before all as the boundary walls couldn’t withstand the floods and collapsed due to bad quality materials. Actually, last year in February, AMU awarded the boundary wall construction work to Kolkata based company HSCL. After receiving the work contract, the company outsourced the work to Gujarat based infrastructure development company Dharti Industries (DI).
Since the announcement of Central government in 2008-09 to establish the special centre of AMU at Kishanganj, this off-campus has witnessed many ups and downs. First, due to the inattentive approach of the then Janata Dal (United) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition NDA government, it took around more than two years to get the land for establishment of AMU Kishanganj Centre. Due to unprecedented delay many activists groups, intellectuals and local politicians tried to pressurise the state government for donating land to AMU. Finally, after series of agitations, including the national seminar at India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC) New Delhi by AMU Coordination Committee (AMUCC) on September 30, 2011 which was attended by the then AMU Vice-Chancellor Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav among many others. The seminar was followed by a massive dharna comprised of ‘Rail Roko Andolan’ on 12th October, 2011 at Kishanganj district. At last, amidst the mounting pressure the Bihar government transferred 224.02 acres land to AMU administration on December 30, 2011. Further, the Congress led UPA government at the Centre and Minister of Human Resource Development Mr. Kapil Sibal made delay due to wrong reasons and put forth the legal hurdles. Overcoming all such hiccups the AMU Centre at Kishanganj got a new lease of life with the foundation stone laying by UPA chairperson on 30th January 2014 in presence of Vice-Chancellor Lt. Gen (Retd.) Zameeruddin Shah.
Meanwhile, the academic activities started in AMU Centre Kishanganj with the introduction of B.Ed course in 2013 in the temporary premises provided by Bihar government at Halim Chowk near Khagra, Kishanganj. The MBA programme was also started in 2014, which provided more credibility to the special centre. However, the lack of dedicated fund for running the centre has always been a big issue for AMU Kishanganj Centre. The UPA government didn’t release a single penny for Kishanganj Centre that affected the functioning of the campus. Although, the present NDA government announced to release Rs. 136 crore around one-and-half years back, but only Rs. 10 crore was released in January 2016.
Now, due to unavailability of fund the functioning of AMU Centre Kishanganj is badly paralysed and the future of the special centre is quite uncertain. With the recent turmoil caused by floods and bad quality construction work by the agency altogether has pushed the future prospects of AMU Centre Kishanganj into a big dilemma. Need of the hour is that the Central government should release the rest of the money Rs. 126 crore for AMU Kishanganj Centre for meeting the expanses of the campus including the salaries of teaching and non-teaching staff, and the infrastructure development work.
Also, the state government must ensure the proper embankment of Mahananda river on AMU side in order to stop the cutting of land and further damage to boundary walls and buildings. If the state and Central government don’t give attention to AMU Centre at Kishanganj, the proposed campus in one of country’s most financially and educationally backward area may not become a reality. The AMU administration especially Vice-Chancellor Lt. Gen (Retd.) Zameruddin Shah and his team must jot down a good and suitable proposal for AMU Kishanganj to place before MHRD / Central government in order to demand fund (budget) in 13th Financial Plan. Unless for next five year (2017-22) this functioning of the campus would be very tough, and in worst case the AMU Centre at Kishanganj may closed down.
