 |
|
The Vedanta Group, led by chairman Anil Agarwal, is once again pursuing its ambition to establish a world-class university in Puri, Odisha. This renewed effort comes nearly two years after the Supreme Court invalidated a previous land acquisition for the same project. The initial attempt, involving a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2006 with the then BJD government, aimed to create a university on par with prestigious institutions like Stanford, Oxford, and Harvard. The project envisioned a significant investment of Rs 15,000 crore and required the acquisition of approximately 15,000 acres of land along the Puri-Konark marine drive.
The land acquisition process, undertaken between December 2006 and August 2007, proved highly controversial. Over 6,000 acres of land were acquired, encompassing both private and government-owned property. The acquisition involved the transfer of 3,342.53 acres of private land to the Vedanta Group, along with a lease of 509 acres of government land to the Anil Agarwal Foundation. This acquisition process, however, faced legal challenges from displaced landowners who contested its legality. The Orissa High Court declared the acquisition illegal in November 2010, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court in April 2023. The Supreme Court's ruling cited 'non-application of mind' and 'undue favours' in the land acquisition process as reasons for its invalidation.
The Supreme Court's decision had significant consequences. In November 2024, the BJP government in Odisha announced plans to return approximately 3,500 acres of private land to its original owners after refunding the compensation they had received. The government also decided to reclaim the 509 acres of state land that had been allocated to the Anil Agarwal Foundation. Despite this setback, Anil Agarwal remains committed to his vision of establishing a world-class university in Odisha, expressing a strong preference for Puri if suitable land can be acquired. He recently confirmed the company's search for appropriate land during the Utkarsh Odisha investment conclave, highlighting the optimism surrounding the project's realization under the current 'double-engine' administration (referencing the BJP's rule at both state and national levels).
Agarwal's commitment to the project stems from a desire to provide high-quality education within India, reducing the need for Indian students to seek education abroad. He indicated a projected investment between Rs 6,000 crore and Rs 20,000 crore for the proposed university. This revised investment range reflects the scale of the project and its potential impact on Odisha's educational landscape. The project's success, however, hinges on the successful acquisition of suitable land and navigating the complexities of land ownership and legal processes. The previous experience clearly underscores the need for a transparent and legally sound land acquisition process to avoid further legal challenges and delays.
The contrast between the initial grandiose vision and the subsequent legal battles highlights the importance of careful planning and due diligence in large-scale infrastructure projects. The potential benefits of the university, including job creation and educational advancements, are significant. However, the potential for social and environmental disruption necessitates a balanced approach that prioritizes the rights of affected communities and environmental considerations. The government's role in ensuring a fair and transparent acquisition process will be crucial in determining the project's future and avoiding a repeat of the past legal challenges. The success of Vedanta's renewed pursuit of establishing a university in Puri will depend heavily on navigating these challenges effectively.
Source: 2 yrs after SC blow, Vedanta once again eyes land for varsity in Puri