Patna, July 9: While the prospect of an “international” academic faculty and university at Nalanda in Rajgir may move the intelligentsia, farmers are far more excited about a chance of fetching “international” prices for their piece of land to be acquired for the university.

For Pilkhi villagers “Kalam’s vision” is no joy. Rajgir farmers, like those in Philki, who would have to sell their precious land to make the Rs 630crore university possible are more interested in an “international” price for an international university. How does it matter, they say, when they are not even sure if their sons and daughters can ever make it there.

Nalanda administration has started acquiring 412acre of land near Pilkhi at Rajgir foothills. District magistrate’s office has recently sent notices to villagers promising Rs 1,644 for per decimal land. The proposed university would come up over 450acre of land. The government has to vacate 38acre at the site from illegal possession.

And over 100 farmers, mostly Yadavs living by agriculture and milk, want the state to give a price close to market rates, if not more.

Pilkhi JD(U) panchayat president Suresh Prasad said: “Our plots are only 5km from Rajgir. As the land does not come under notified area of the town, it is classified under un-irrigated agricultural land.” He also argued that the town is already mapped as an international tourist centre and hence, prices would only soar in the future.

“The state must revise land prices keeping land location in consideration rather than just paper classification,” he added.

A farmer said: “I own only two-bigha of land and wanted to keep it for my two sons. But now that I have to sell it, I must get a good price.” On being told of the “wonderful” plans of nalanda revival he snorted and said that Rajgir, 16km from Nalanda ruins, is “nowhere close to the ancient university site”.

District administration, however, sought to calm farmers’ fears. District magistrate Anand Kishore said: “As there have been strict classification of lands, farmers can be paid accordingly.” Kishore said most farmers had agreed and resistance had been coming from a small group. He assured the farmers of administration bonus besides land price, estimated at Rs 24 crore.

The detailed project report of Nalanda University, being set up in collaboration with several Southeast Asian countries, will be architecturally designed in consonance of ancient university.