In a significant move to boost higher education infrastructure in the national capital, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has formally handed over land parcels to two prominent universities for establishing new campuses in the Narela sub-city. The initiative aims to transform the area into a comprehensive education and sports hub.
Land Allotment Details and Financials
Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena officially presented the possession documents to Delhi's Education Minister, Ashish Sood, on Saturday. According to the details, the Delhi Teachers' University (DeTU) has been allotted 12.7 acres of land in Sector G-2/G-6 of Narela. The Delhi government paid an amount of Rs 92.2 crore to the DDA for this parcel.
Currently operating from a repurposed school building in Mukherjee Nagar with limited facilities, DeTU is expected to commence work on its new, permanent campus soon. Simultaneously, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) received 22.4 acres for Rs 162.9 crore to set up its third campus, expanding its presence in north Delhi. The university currently functions from its main campus in Dwarka and a facility in Surajmal Vihar, East Delhi.
Political Context and Budgetary Support
The DDA revealed that the land was originally allotted in January 2024 based on requests from the universities. However, the authority stated that the previous Kejriwal-led government did not proceed with the payment, putting the allotment on hold. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) did not comment on this allegation.
The current BJP-led government, under the leadership of Rekha Gupta, prioritized the project in its first budget. An allocation of Rs 500 crore was made for these universities, out of which Rs 452 crore has already been disbursed to the DDA. Furthermore, an additional provision of Rs 500 crore was approved in the revised budget estimates, underscoring the project's financial backing.
Vision for Narela Education City
Education Minister Ashish Sood emphasized that the Narela Education City will be more than just infrastructure. It is envisioned as a shared campus model incorporating global best practices. The plan includes:
- Modern libraries and state-of-the-art laboratories.
- Advanced seminar halls and auditoriums.
- Cutting-edge research and innovation facilities.
This collaborative model is designed to ensure optimal resource utilization and extend benefits to a larger student population. Sood also added that residential facilities for faculty and staff will be developed on the premises. The universities have proposed an investment of approximately Rs 567 crore for constructing flats and hostels, making it a self-contained academic township.
The development marks a pivotal step in addressing the infrastructural deficit in Delhi's higher education sector and is poised to catalyze the all-round development of the Narela region.
