Delhi University’s Executive Council approved hostel projects worth ₹5,889 crore to address the student accommodation shortage. The plan includes new residential facilities and reconstruction of two existing hostels, aiming to expand capacity for 21,895 students. The approvals were made at an emergency meeting on Tuesday and now require Union Ministry of Education approval for grant-in-aid, according to livemint.com.
The ₹5,889 crore plan allocates ₹4,027 crore for new hostels expected to house 15,758 students and ₹1,862 crore for reconstructing two existing hostels with a capacity of 6,137 students. Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh said the proposals were cleared by the university’s highest decision-making body and will be forwarded to the Union Ministry of Education for final approval. The new construction includes hostel blocks at the Dhaka Complex, Veer Savarkar College in Najafgarh, and DU’s West and East Campuses in Dwarka, Najafgarh, and Surajmal Vihar.
This approval comes amid ongoing delays in previously announced hostel projects due to funding and construction challenges, which have hindered the university’s ability to expand affordable student housing. The new plan aims to significantly increase capacity, addressing a persistent shortage that affects thousands of students. The scale of the investment and the number of students to be accommodated highlight the university’s efforts to improve living conditions and support academic engagement.
The projects will provide accommodation for 21,895 students once completed. However, the plan’s progress depends on the Union Ministry of Education’s grant-in-aid approval, a necessary step before construction can begin, as reported by livemint.com.