University of Delhi considers Rs 8,000-crore hostel expansion

The University of Delhi is considering a massive Rs 8,000-crore proposal for hostel construction and redevelopment to accommodate more than 30,000 students. The plans were presented to the university’s Executive Council following recommendations from its Finance Committee.

Key components of the proposal include the construction of new hostels at the Dhaka Complex, Najafgarh, and Surajmal Vihar campuses, as well as the reconstruction of existing facilities in the North Campus. At the Dhaka Complex, the university plans to build two 32-storey Y-shaped hostels—one for male and one for female students—at an estimated cost of Rs 1,130 crore each. These structures would each house 4,836 residents.

The expansion also includes dedicated facilities for working women. One proposed project, the Nirbhaya Working Women Accommodation-I, is estimated to cost Rs 400 crore with a capacity for 1,674 residents. Funding for such projects is expected to be sought from various ministries, including the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

These infrastructure developments follow a recent shortage of university accommodation and a fatal building collapse in Satya Niketan in September.