KalimNews, Takdah, August 27, 2025 : In a landmark moment for higher technical education in the Darjeeling hills, the region’s first engineering college, the Darjeeling Hill Institute of Technology and Management (DHITM), was officially inaugurated today at Takdah, approximately 31 kilometres from Darjeeling town. The historic launch ceremony was presided over by Anit Thapa, the Chief Executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), and attended by a host of dignitaries, students, and well-wishers. The college, spread across a lush green 15-acre campus, has been established under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model—a pioneering initiative for the hills.
The Darjeeling Hill Institute of Technology and Management is affiliated with the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT) and approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi. It offers four-year undergraduate degree programs in Computer Science, Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering, with a specialised focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, along with Bachelor’s courses in Hotel Management and Catering Technology, as per the National Education Policy.
In his address, GTA Chief Executive Anit Thapa expressed immense pride and termed the event as one of the biggest achievements of his political career since 2017. He stated that following the successful establishment of Darjeeling Hill University in Rangli-Rangliot block, this engineering college was another significant step forward for the region. Emphasising the importance of implementing the vision rather than merely constructing infrastructure, he said, “Constructing a building is not the achievement—the true success lies in operationalising a college of this scale and vision in the hills. This initiative is proof to those who once doubted what Anit Thapa and the people of the hills can accomplish.”
Thapa credited the success of the project to the dedicated officers of the GTA, who envisioned and implemented the college under the PPP model, even when the state had not planned such an initiative. He extended gratitude to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for placing faith in the project and offering support, adding that this engineering college is not only a matter of pride but a vital step in reversing the migration of hill students to other parts of the country in search of technical education. He urged parents to encourage their children to study in the hills, asserting that confidence in local institutions must be built.
In a virtual address, renowned AI and quantum computing scientist Dr. Utpal Chakraborty highlighted the importance of not just imparting education but fostering a research-driven mindset. He advised the institution to place research at the forefront of its mission. Amiya Ranjan Badajena, Chairman of the Orissa Child Welfare and Education Trust (OCWET)—the managing body of the college—called the initiative a reflection of “visionary leadership” and a “collective dream turned into reality.”
Uttam Lal, Director (Personnel) of NHPC Limited, which invested ₹40 crore for the infrastructure development under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, said the project would change the educational landscape of the region. Calling it the first successful PPP project of its kind in West Bengal, he expressed confidence that DHITM would be counted among the top 10 technical institutions in India within a decade. He also emphasized the project’s employment potential and its capacity to transform Takdah into a future technical hub.
GTA Principal Secretary Dushyant Nariala, IAS, echoed similar sentiments, calling the project the fulfilment of a long-standing dream of the hill communities. He remarked that the birth of this institution symbolised the start of a new era and that the focus must now shift from construction to academic excellence and institutional development.
The college currently has an intake capacity of 360 students for technical courses and 120 for hotel management, and promises 100% placement assistance. Admissions for the current academic year have already begun through the official website and outreach. According to Anit Thapa, students from the GTA region will benefit from a 31% reservation quota and subsidised tuition, ensuring access to quality education at rates equivalent to government-run colleges.
Adding to the event’s significance, the entire programme was conducted as a plastic-free initiative, showcasing a strong environmental commitment and aligning with sustainable development goals. This eco-conscious effort made the ceremony not only educationally symbolic but also socially responsible.
The inauguration ceremony, which began at 11:00 a.m., also featured vibrant cultural performances by artists from the GTA Information and Culture Department and local Nepali folk troupes, adding a festive flavour to the landmark occasion.
Other distinguished speakers at the event included Dr. D.K. Baidya, Anindita Ganguly, Dr. Madhusudan Chakraborty, Tapash Chakraborty, Sanchabir Limbu, and Vinod Kumar, who all echoed their appreciation for the initiative and its long-term potential for the hills.
The Darjeeling Hill Institute of Technology and Management stands as a monument to perseverance, vision, and unity, and is poised to usher in a new chapter in the educational and socio-economic development of the region. Classes are scheduled to commence in the coming days, with faculty and staff appointments already in place, signaling the beginning of a brighter academic future for the youth of the Darjeeling hill.
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