Students of Jai Prakash University in the district might not be able to take advantage of a world-class swimming pool on the premises of their alma mater despite the availability of sufficient funds and official permission.

University Grants Commission (UGC) granted Rs 1 crore to Prithvi Chand Science College in Chhapra for the construction of a swimming pool. The institute also received Rs 50 lakh as first instalment for the project a month-and-a-half back. But the college does not have enough land to construct the facility.

If the swimming pool is not constructed, the money would have to be returned to the UGC.

The Katharibagh campus of Prithvi Chand Science College is spread across 10-cottah, which houses the institute building. So, the college principal, Kameshwar Singh, had written to JP University vice-chancellor (VC) Ram Vinod Sharma to construct the swimming pool on the varsity premises.

“A request to this effect was sent to the university and approved of by the syndicate and the senate. But before the construction begins, the college must seek permission from the UGC, as the central agency has laid down specific guidelines for the project,” said Sharma.

Sources said the former principal of the college, Sanjay Kumar, had sent a proposal to the UGC in November 2011 for the construction of a swimming pool and an indoor stadium. The UGC had granted permission. It granted Rs 70 lakh more for the stadium. The central agency also sent the first instalment of Rs 35 lakh for the indoor sports facility.

Singh said: “If the UGC gives us permission to construct the swimming pool on the university premises, we would be able to proceed with the project. But if we don’t get the permission, we would have to return the funds.”

The instruction that the UGC has sent to the college for the swimming pool include appointment of physical instructor, trainer and life guard; purchasing state-of-the-art equipment and a master plan for the construction.

“The university is ready to provide 25 cottah land to the college. But the institute would not become the owner of the land — the varsity would be the custodian of the pool. The UGC may, however, not agree to this as it is in contradiction to the directives provided by them,” said Kumar.

Getting the required permission would be nearly impossible, he added.