Key proposals for Delhi University’s biggest infrastructural development are currently underway with over 1900 crores dedicated to projects that include a new co-ed college, installation of solar plants and a university-wide surveillance machinery.
Delhi University is currently moving towards one of its biggest infrastructural pushes in many years, with an allocation of over 1900 crores for projects that are approved or already in process. The major developments are noted to be the creation of a new college at Fatehpur Behri, an IP-based system of surveillance and the installation of solar-powered panels.
According to the Times of India, these proposals have already been cleared by the finance and building committee. However, they are yet to be finally approved by the executive council, which has slated a meeting on 12th July.
In June, Delhi University Vice Chancellor, Yogesh Singh confirmed the creation of a new college in Fatehpur Behri with modern 21st-century courses. Delineating the University’s plans, he stated,
We intend to open a college there by next year. Gram Panchayat has already allotted us the land. However, the college may not be exclusively for girls.
According to reports, 272 crores have been allocated as funding for the new college that is yet to be named. Further elaborating on the educational initiatives under the University, Singh added that a project titled, Veer Savarkar College is currently underway with an estimated timeline of 2026.
Additionally, a 9.2 crore funding for an Internet Protocol-based surveillance system has been sanctioned to improve safety across Delhi University’s North and South campus colleges. In the light of defunct CCTV cameras across Delhi, this initiative is expected to tackle concerns of security in and around these college grounds.
Infrastructurally, the University is currently in the process of installing solar-powered systems through the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) alongside a 200-crore working women’s and girls’ hostel at the Dhaka Complex. Serious construction failures, such as salty water and poor concrete cover at the girls’ hostel, along with drainage upgrades at the Sports Complex and Tutorial Block, are expected to follow through. A proposal indicates the construction of a stainless-steel stormwater system to structurally stabilise Delhi University’s Rugby Sevens Sports Complex.
Ongoing projects under the 1900-crore funding include renovations at the Faculty of Management Studies, new classrooms and faculty rooms for the Department of Commerce, refurbishment of the convocation hall and redevelopment of the vice-regal lodge. An in-principle approval has also been granted for a new cultural activity centre near Shri Shankar Lal Hall.
Under the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA), Delhi University has successfully secured funding of 195.6 crore for the creation of a Faculty of Technology building and 120 crores for an academic complex at Surajmal Vihar.
Given the extent of infrastructural development planned and targeted by the University, a top-level project monitoring committee is expected to be formed under Prof. Balaram Pani, Dean of Colleges. However, the extent of development upon the already approved projects is under question, with a reported physical progress of less than 10%, as reported by the Times of India.
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Image Credits: Devesh for DU Beat
Aaratrika Ghosh
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