Why no DU campus in Najafgarh despite land alloted in 1989: HC

New Delhi: Why has Delhi University not constructed a campus in the Najafgarh area in Southwest Delhi despite getting land for it 28 years ago?

This question was on Tuesday posed by the Delhi High Court to the varsity, Delhi Development Authority and the Centre.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said it was a "a sorry state of affairs" as the land was alloted in 1989 for lease for 99 years.

"28 years have gone, but the campus has not yet been constructed," it added.

The court issued notice to the land owning agency -- DDA - asking it to file a status report with regard to the letter written to it by the DU asking for land to build a road near the campus.

The court fixed the matter for further hearing on January 22 next year.

It also sought response of the Delhi government on the issue before the next date of hearing.

The matter was brought to the court's attention through a PIL filed by the Najafgarh Senior Citizens Association which has claimed that the youths of the area do not have easy access to quality education and have to commute long distances to North and South Campuses of the university for it.

The association has sought directions to the varsity and the two governments to set up colleges and a campus in the area.

The PIL has also sought setting up of a committee to look into establishing colleges and campus in village Roshanpura of Najafgarh in South West Delhi where the land was allotted to DU.

According to the petitioner association, the land was given on lease in 1989 for 99 years, but till date only a boundary wall has been built around it.