Feel at home: Boys’ hostel at Hindu in for revamp

New Delhi: Once a home to distinguished people like Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri and filmmakers Vishal Bhardwaj and Imtiaz Ali, the old Boys' Hostel at Hindu College will soon become a thing of the past. The country’s top-ranking NIRF college is all set to get a new eco-friendly boys' hostel, the Bhoomi poojan for which was held on Friday.

At the ceremony, with Delhi University vice-chancellor Yogesh Singh in attendance, college principal Anju Srivastava said, “Our college has had a hostel since its inception. In fact, according to college records, the first building that came up was that of the hostel. All of us have deeply personal memories associated with this hostel.” She recalled the names of several prominent citizens from different walks of life who had once been Hindu hostellers.

that will be constructed by NBCC (India) Limited at an estimated cost of Rs 70 crore.

Srivastava said that the old hostel was constructed in the 1950s when Hindu College first moved to its permanent E-shaped building in DU’s North Campus from Kinari Bazar in Chandni Chowk. The hostel has accommodation for around 250 students but with the passage of time, maintenance and repair costs have increased significantly.

“We have considered all options and several rounds of repairs have taken place, but these do not last long,” said Srivastava. “The maintenance is proving costly and it has to be done again and again. A new hostel with all the modern facilities is soon going to come up and it will offer accommodation to almost 500 students, double that of the old hostel.”

The principal said that the college would also get an additional auditorium capable of seating 700 people. NBCC (India) Limited confirmed that it had been entrusted with the project construction at an approximate value of Rs 70 crore. This project will be executed on a design, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis, and will incorporate solar power systems to enhance sustainability. The five-floor hostel building with a height of 23 metres will have a built-up area of approximately 1.97 lakh sq ft, NBCC said in a statement.

NBCC said, “The expanded infrastructure will also include 33 executive rooms, 10 resident tutor rooms with attached toilets and one 3BHK warden residence. The project will also feature a 700-seater auditorium, designed to support the vibrant cultural, entertainment, and academic life of the college.”

The hostel is designed with a focus on social interaction and ample exposure to nature. It will offer modern comforts such as air conditioning, laundry facilities, a modern kitchen, and a spacious dining area.

“Old things never fade away and I am sure all our alumni who have stayed in the hostel have fond memories of their time here,” said Srivastava. “But it is the demand of the current time that our students should have access to the best of facilities. This new hostel will be witness to our commitment of providing all necessary facilities to our students.”

Hindu College had recently secured the top position after leapfrogging Miranda House in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings released by the Union ministry of education.