The Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT-D) campus is all set to become more sophisticated. With the civic administration giving the institution the nod to modify its layout plan, students can soon avail of better infrastructure at the plush Hauz Khas campus.

The approval will enable IIT authorities to expand student residential facilities, accommodating an additional 1,300 people, and construct additional residential facilities for those pursuing PhD. “A new hostel will be constructed on the campus for boys. Also, an additional complex will be built for married students involved in research. Many of them come from abroad through the student-exchange programme,” said an official from IIT.

Of the 8,000 students currently studying at IIT-D, over 70 per cent have opted for the hostel facility. The 312-acre campus has 10 hostels for boys and three for girls. The revised layout proposes to build a sports-cum-cultural interaction centre on the campus. Apart from this, a separate engineering block will also be developed.

“We had already received sanction from the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC). This approval will enable us to accelerate the expansion work,” Rakesh Kumar, registrar of the institute, told Newsline.

For new amendments to the layout plan, the IIT-D had sent a letter to the office of the Municipal Commissioner on January 12, stating: “The proposal envisages new building blocks for residential use, academic use, sports-cultural activities, community facility and service facility.”

This was the fifth time that the IIT-D has approached the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for revision in the layout of its master plan.

“The Standing Committee had last approved the revised layout of IIT campus in 2003. After that, new modifications were mooted by the institute, which needed sanctions. We have studied the plan and sanctioned the revised layout. The new plan will provide students with better amenities at the campus,” said Yogendra Chandolia, Standing Committee chairman.