The long-hidden truth regarding Tribhuvan University’s (TU) property and land has finally been revealed. After lying under wraps for months, the much-awaited report submitted by a government-formed inquiry committee has been released on the instruction of Education Minister Mahabir Pun. The Council of Ministers had already decided to forward the report to the Ministry of Education for implementation, and the minister instructed his officials to act accordingly. The report, prepared by a five-member committee led by former secretary Sharada Prasad Trital and submitted in the presence of then Education Minister Bidya Bhattarai, exposes appalling truths about how the country’s oldest university lost control over its assets. Formed on May 31, 2023, the committee conducted an extensive study of TU’s land and other immovable properties in Kirtipur, Naikap, Dhungeadda, and Patan.
Govt inactive to reclaim encroached 14 ropani land in Dhobi Kho...
The 179-page report reveals rampant embezzlement and encroachment. It highlights the disappearance of TU property: up to 2,400 ropanis of land have been grabbed, embezzled, or encroached upon. Around the Kirtipur campus, approximately 1,000 ropanis are missing from TU’s property list, another 1,000 ropanis have been occupied elsewhere, and roughly 400 ropanis in Pulchowk and Lubhu are being used by others. The abandonment of responsibility and complicity in corruption by those entrusted with safeguarding the university’s assets appear to be at the heart of the problem. Founded in 2016 BS, when renowned literary figure Laxmi Prasad Devkota was education minister, the university was established as a national institution to expand access to higher education and nurture educated citizens. Donors gifted land in Kirtipur and elsewhere to make this dream a reality. What was once a proud public institution, built on donations and goodwill, has suffered from decades of mismanagement and weak oversight. The vast landholdings of TU could have been used for research, academic growth, and student residences. Instead, a significant portion of its land was taken over by individuals, private organizations, or political parties. Other plots were leased unlawfully or sold through forged documents.
The silence of TU officials and the inaction of successive governments suggest not mere negligence but a deeper conspiracy. Land does not disappear overnight, nor does encroachment go unchecked for years without insider involvement. With the new information on TU’s mismanaged land and assets, the Trital report should serve as an eye-opener for TU officials and the government. It is time for TU authorities to recover all encroached land through updated land surveys and legal certification. The university must reclaim its land through legal and administrative action, regardless of the institutions or individuals involved. A comprehensive digital inventory of all TU properties should be created immediately to prevent future exploitation. Most importantly, the reclaimed land must be used for academic expansion, research centers, and student facilities—not for rentals or short-term profits. The publication of this report offers a crucial opportunity to revitalize TU’s assets after years of neglect. If TU can recover and utilize its lost property for education and innovation, it will not only help restore public trust but also honor the vision and integrity of those who founded the institution.
