GTA Sets March 2026 Deadline for Completion of Nepali Academy in Darjeeling

KalimNews, Darjeeling, Sept 9, 2025: The long-delayed construction of the Nepali Academy and Cultural Research Centre (NACRC) building in Darjeeling is finally back on track, with the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) setting a new completion deadline of March 2026. The announcement came from GTA Chief Executive Anit Thapa, who conducted a detailed inspection of the site on Hill Cart Road—approximately four kilometres from Darjeeling town—on Monday, accompanied by engineers and architects.

The multipurpose academy is envisioned as a premier institution to promote and preserve the Nepali language, literature, music, fine arts, culture, and academic research in the region. Originally launched under the provisions of the 2011 GTA Agreement, the project has experienced significant delays and periods of neglect. Thapa acknowledged that construction had not progressed as expected and said the administration is now determined to push forward with urgency.

“The construction has not progressed at the pace it should have. I had announced the establishment of the Nepali Academy during the Nepali Language Day celebrations. On Monday, along with engineers and architects, we reviewed the status of work and fixed the completion target for March 2026,” Thapa stated.

The foundation stone of the NACRC was originally laid by former GTA Chief Executive Bimal Gurung on November 14, 2014. Although initial construction had begun soon after, the work had remained incomplete and largely unattended for several years. The project was initially scheduled to be completed by 2016, but subsequent administrative shifts and funding uncertainties stalled progress. The new plan involves completing the four-storey structure and officially registering it under the Societies Act, as per earlier provisions. Upon completion, the institution will be governed by a 20-member body.

The NACRC is to be built on a 4.14-acre plot of land donated by the N.C. Goenka family. The estimated cost of the project is ₹22 crore, which has already been sanctioned by the GTA. During the visit, Thapa emphasized that a building alone does not constitute an academy. He noted the importance of substance, structure, and scholarly involvement in giving the institution meaningful life.

GTA Advisor Amar Lama, Executive Sabha member for Information and Culture Anos Thapa, and Vijay Kumar Rai have been entrusted with preparing a detailed list of requirements and overseeing the remaining phases of the project. Lama explained that while the infrastructure is a critical component, the institution’s mission goes beyond bricks and mortar. “The GTA Agreement clearly provides for the establishment of a Nepali Academy. Its mission is to preserve and develop regional language and culture. The building is important, but an academy is more than just a structure. It must evolve into a full-fledged institution,” he said.

Plans are also underway to draft the constitution and framework of the academy, with an institutional model similar to that of the Delhi-based Nepali Academy. The administration has indicated that inputs from the Nepali Sahitya Sammelan and other leading literary and cultural figures will be considered to ensure that the academy functions as an inclusive and representative cultural body.

Once complete, the Nepali Academy and Cultural Research Centre is expected to serve not only as a cultural landmark in the hills but also as a central hub for the intellectual and creative advancement of the Gorkha community and the broader Nepali-speaking population in India.