Bhubaneswar, April 4: Discouraged by the inordinate delay in acquiring land from the 7th battalion of the Odisha State Armed Police (OSAP) for its city extension centre, the National Institute of Science and Research (Niser) is now considering setting up the facility on the Utkal University campus.

The state government had registered three acres of the 7th battalion of OSAP for Niser’s use on November 25, 2009. However, so far the institute has not got possession of the land. Officials said the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Police were reluctant to part with the land because of its strategic location.

Niser has planned a 1500-capacity convention centre, a state-of-the-art business centre, four auditoriums, and a guesthouse at its city extension centre with an investment of Rs 100 crore by the department of atomic energy.

“The multi-speciality convention centre would be the best such facility in the state, equipped with all the required facilities to host mega events and conferences. Besides Niser, the facility can be used by all other institutes and organisations of the state as and when required,” said a senior official at Niser.

“The location of the OSAP 7th battalion was ideal. It was at a perfect distance from the airport and other important places. However, the wait for procurement of the land seems endless. The state police is hesitant in handing over the land to us,” he said.

Last year, the state government had identified another three acres near DAV Public School, Chandrasekharpur, for the centre but Niser authorities are not keen on it because of its distance from the heart of the city. “The land was on the outskirts of the capital. It would not be convenient for delegates and participants to travel that far,” said the official.

The Niser authorities are now mulling over using a part of the Utkal University campus for their project because of its location.

“While the location will be an advantage, there might be fewer problems in acquisition of the land as the matter will be under the consideration of the department of higher education. Besides, a lot of land on the varsity campus is lying unutilised and this would be the best way to use it for the benefit of higher education in the state,” the official said. A proposal in this regard is being prepared to be submitted for approval before higher education secretary Aparajita Sarangi.