Despite agitations in Thoubal district on Sunday demanding the construction of the controversial National Sports University at Yaithibi Loukon, it has become clear that the University is going to be built at Koutruk in Imphal West.
Sports Minister Vijay Goel had made it clear during his visit on November 4 last that the land at Yaithibi Loukon, the proposed site was a low lying area and there are sections of land which is not encumbrance free. This opinion was however repeatedly contradicted by the state government.
Imphal Free Press met a visiting union minister who prefers to remain anonymous, but reaffirmed the stance that the University will most certainly be built at Koutruk.
In this regard, the Youth Affairs and Sports ministry has sought the details of the land available at Koutruk and that the information should be forwarded by state YAS department. The matter was to be treated as ‘urgent’ and the director of YAS, Dr Harmit Singh Pahuja on December 6, intimated to the Deputy Commissioner of Imphal West and the Director of Land Settlement and Record to submit the details of the total land available at Koutruk in the matter of building the National Sports University.
Director of Settlement Somorjit Salam had replied back to YAS department on December 8 that the total area of land available at Koutruk was 476.082 acre. It may be mentioned that the total land requirement of the proposed sports university is 200 acres. The schedule of the land given was further elaborated direction wise and location.
The area of the university comes under Senjam Khunou village and part of Haraoching at the north, Koutruk village and part of the Haraoching at the south, Senjam Khunou village at the east and Singda river at the western side. There is also khasland available at the eastern side which comes under 40 Senjam Khunou village.
It may be mentioned that the state government had allegedly acquired 336.63 acres at 44 Yaithibi loukon for construction of the sports university. Another development was that the government had secretly acquired another 54 acres beside the 336 acres, bringing the total at 390 acres.
It is not clear whether the additional 54 acres acquired by the state has been handed over to the YAS, but Okram Ibobi Singh in a meeting had mentioned that it was handed over.
Source: Imphal Free Press
