The State Government would ensure all possible assistance to expedite the work of establishing Central University at Dharamshala and Dehra in Kangra district. This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the review meeting of Central Projects being executed in the State of Himachal Pradesh.

Chief Minister said that land measuring 303-37-74 hectares had been identified to establish the Central University at Dharamshala out of which around 278-43-79 hectares was forest land and around 24-93-95 hectares was government land. He said that a case for transfer of forest land in favour of the proposed campus of Central University would be submitted to the Government of India for forest clearances. He said that he would personally take up the issue with Government of India so that work on this ambitious project could be completed at the earliest. 

Jai Ram Thakur said that the Union Government has agreed in principle for the diversion of 81.79 hectares of forest land for establishing South Campus of Central University at Dehra. He said that 34 hectares of non-forest land had already been transferred for setting up of the South Campus of the University at Dehra. He said that new school building of Government Senior Secondary School (boys) Dharamshala has been provided to the Central University on the temporary basis.

He said that compensatory afforestation, NPV, cost of trees and departmental charges amounting to about Rs. 17.28 crore has been released to the Government of India for transferring the forest land measuring 81.79 hectares at Dehra. He said that a committee would be constituted to expedite forest clearances.