Darjeeling Hills gets its first Engineering College at Takdah

DARJEELING,: The Darjeeling Hills marked a significant milestone on Wednesday with the inauguration of its first engineering college-Darjeeling Hill Institute of Technology and Management (DHITM-located in Takdah, about 31 km from Darjeeling town.

Established by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Department of Education and the Department of Engineering, DHITM is the first-ever technical degree college in West Bengal to operate under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The institute is managed by the Orissa Child Welfare and Education Trust (OCWET) and funded by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

Approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi, DHITM is affiliated with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT), West Bengal.

“NHPC has been involved with this project since 2012. We signed an MoU with the GTA and sanctioned Rs 40 crore, released in phases. The GTA has also played a significant role, and together, we secured AICTE approval,” said Uttam Lal, NHPC director, Faridabad. He added that the project will create local employment and educational opportunities, while also boosting ancillary services like transport, shops, and homestays.

GTA officials clarified that work worth Rs 24 crore has been completed so far, with the remaining development to continue even as the college becomes operational.

DHITM will offer four-year undergraduate programs in Computer Science Engineering (with a specialization in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning), Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering. It will also offer courses in Hotel Management and Culinary Technology. Each department has an annual intake of 60 students, with 100% placement assistance promised.

A 31% seat quota is reserved for students from the GTA region, who will pay nominal fees as per government college rates.

“This institute is the result of our efforts since 2017 to bring peace and development to the hills,” said GTA chief executive Anit Thapa, who inaugurated the college. “Our students no longer need to leave the hills for higher studies in these fields.”

Dr. Anindita Ganguly, director of Technical Education, West Bengal Higher Education department, said the government encourages private participation to expand higher education infrastructure and improve enrolment.

Admissions have already begun, with several students enrolled and faculty appointed. Classes are expected to begin shortly.

“We no longer need to go far or to hot regions to study. This college offers quality education close to home at an affordable cost,” said Anshika Sinha from Sukna, pursuing a diploma in Computer Science and Technology.

Subha Mandal from Purulia, now enrolled in Electrical Engineering, added, “This is the first technical college in the hills. Similar courses cost Rs 10–12 lakh in the plains, but here the fees are much lower. Since it’s a government collaboration, we trust its quality.”