SRINAGAR: The Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, has approved a Revised Cost Estimate (RCE) of Rs 998.62 crore for the establishment of a permanent campus of the Central University of Kashmir (CU Kashmir) at Tulmulla area in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
The project, spanning 36 months from 2025 to 2028, will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure with green, digital, and smart campus facilities.
The approval follows recommendations from the Public Investment Board (PIB), chaired by the Secretary (Expenditure), Ministry of Finance, based on a detailed presentation by CU Kashmir Vice-Chancellor Prof A Ravinder Nath. The project marks a significant step toward creating a world-class higher education hub in Jammu Kashmir.
The permanent campus will include academic and administrative blocks, central facilities, sports and recreational infrastructure, and will be executed under a Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) and EPC contract mode to ensure timely completion. Prof Nath highlighted the university’s locational advantages, including its scenic setting, favourable climate, proximity to tourist destinations, and access to rich biodiversity.
Since its establishment in 2009, CU Kashmir has faced challenges related to inadequate infrastructure, limited visibility in national rankings, and resource constraints. The recent approval follows sustained engagement with the MoE, Department of Expenditure, NITI Aayog, and other agencies, overcoming technical, financial, and land-related hurdles.
CU Kashmir officials said the permanent campus will cater to a wide range of disciplines, foster innovation, incubation, inclusivity, and sustainability, and align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The development aims to contribute to the educational and socio-economic growth of the Union Territory, promote employment and entrepreneurship, and nurture leadership values.
Prof Nath extended gratitude to the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, MP Aga Ruhullah and others for their support, describing the approval as a recognition of collective perseverance by faculty, staff, scholars, and students.
