Bhubaneswar: Utkal University authorities cited plans to expand the varsity's facilities when it requested the state government to consider alternative arrangements for the Rama Devi Women's University's second campus that was planned on its premises.

However, the claim now looks like a distant dream as the varsity faces several court cases in its attempts to free up around 35 acres that has been encroached upon by several people and organisations.

The authorities have requested the higher education department, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, police and the general administration department to evict encroachers from its premises. Squatters have encroached on land on three sides of the varsity's 400-acre campus - 18 acres on the east side, seven acres along the national highway and 10 acres on the north.

"We are working to sort out the issue. We are aware of the situation," said higher education minister Ananta Das.

The absence of an officer to manage the varsity land has compounded its problems.

"Encroachment of university land has been a major issue for a long time. It is time a solution was chalked out, so that it can be put to better use," said former varsity professor Manish Kumar.

The post - estate officer - created for the management and upkeep of varsity land has been lying vacant for the past six months.

"Under such circumstances, the post seems crucial. Without an officer, it would not be easy to manage the land," said academic Ajanta Satpathy.

Sources said portions of land remain under illegal possession of slum dwellers of Patharbandh and some retired employees of the institution itself.

Apart from the encroachment issue, the estate officer has to look after the judicious use of varsity land.

Varsity vice-chancellor Soumendra Mohan Patnaik said: "We will work out a plan shortly. We will talk to the state government and take it up at the earliest."