British-built technical institute reduced to derelict state

BY KABI RAJ GHIMIRE,Hile, Mar. 14: Structures of Uttarpani Polytechnic Institute in Dhankuta Municipality-10 are becoming dilapidated due to lack of budget for maintenance. 

The institute was built in 1983 with the assistance of the British government. The British, who provided physical and technical support, had built 47 buildings at that time. 

Currently, almost all of 47 buildings are in a dilapidated condition. Almost nore can be used due to their poor condition. Shankar Koirala, a professor at the institute, said they were facing problems in teaching and learning activities as the buildings, laboratories and various infrastructures were in a poor state. 

It is estimated that about Rs. 50 million will be required for the maintenance of the structures inside the school complex. Koirala said, “Many buildings are at risk of collapse. We have demanded money for the maintenance many times. Due to a lack of funds, some buildings which are in a deteriorated condition are out of use.” 

The institute spread over 865 ropanis of land has been providing three-year and 18-month pre-diploma courses in crop science and animal science. It is the only institute in the district that provides courses in agriculture and animal husbandry. 

The institute also consists of a tea garden, a fish pond and a forest. In the past, many people used to visit the institute for its natural beauty. But, due to lack of maintenance and the dilapidated condition of the building, people have stopped visiting the institute, informed a local Jayandra Ghising. 

He said, “We have made multiple requests for the maintenance of the institute and return it to its original condition developing it as a major tourist destination.” Meanwhile, a few new buildings have been constructed on the institute premises. But they are constructed in new designs far different from the original structures, hindering the beauty of the institute. The locals have demanded to build the new structures in the original designs.

Nagendra Pandey, ward chair of Dhankuta Municipality 10, said that the institute was a tourist spot and should be linked with tourism. He said, “We have discussed many times that the local government would preserve the wetland and the institute would be responsible for the protection of the institute.”

There are currently 320 students studying in the institute, which enrols 160 students annually. There are seven institutes in the Koshi Province out of the 65 vocational schools affiliated with the Council of Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT). Among them, the Uttarpani Polytechnic Institute is the only institute from Dhankuta district.