Education – Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday presided over the foundation stone laying ceremony for two major infrastructure projects at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, signaling a significant step forward in the institute’s expansion plans. The new facilities include a multi-storey academic complex and a large residential hostel for women students.
The ceremony, held on the IIT Delhi campus, was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Education, along with IIT Delhi Director Prof. Rangan Banerjee, faculty members, staff and students. The projects are part of a broader effort to strengthen academic and residential capacity at one of the country’s premier engineering institutions.
The upcoming Academic Block-103 will be the first 10-storey academic building on the campus. Designed with two basement levels and rising to a height of 36.75 metres, the structure will cover nearly five lakh square feet of built-up area. Once completed, it is expected to substantially enhance teaching and research facilities at the institute.
According to institute officials, the new academic block will include 31 classrooms and lecture theatres, offering expanded space for undergraduate and postgraduate instruction. In addition, 150 research laboratories and an equal number of faculty offices are planned within the building, aimed at supporting advanced research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The complex will also house multiple conference rooms to facilitate academic discussions, seminars and workshops. The Educational Technology Services Centre will operate from the new block, strengthening digital learning and instructional support services.
To ensure convenience for students and staff, the building plan includes essential amenities such as a cafeteria and banking facilities, along with other support services that are expected to make the complex a self-sustained academic hub.
Alongside the academic complex, foundation work has begun for Girls’ Hostel-50B, a large residential facility intended to accommodate 1,400 students. Spread over approximately 3.9 lakh square feet, the hostel will follow a B+G+12 configuration, comprising a basement, ground floor and 12 upper floors.
The design focuses on comfort and functionality. Each room will be configured for double occupancy and equipped with built-in cupboards, study tables and universal charging points to meet modern student requirements. A common dining hall will serve residents, promoting community interaction within the hostel premises.
The expansion of hostel capacity comes amid a steady rise in student intake, particularly among women pursuing engineering and technology programs. Institute officials noted that the new facility is expected to ease accommodation pressures and support greater participation of female students in higher education.
The combined estimated cost of the academic block and the hostel stands at approximately Rs 430 crore. Once completed, the projects are expected to significantly enhance both academic delivery and campus life at IIT Delhi.
The expansion aligns with the government’s broader focus on strengthening higher education institutions through infrastructure development and capacity building. By investing in modern classrooms, research spaces and student housing, IIT Delhi aims to meet growing academic demands while maintaining its position as a leading centre for science and technology education in India.
