Education minister inaugurates sports complex, lays foundation for 3 infra projects at NIT Rourkela

The Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan has inaugurated new infrastructure projects at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela worth over Rs 200 crore. Pradhan inaugurated an indoor sports complex, a 1,000-seater open-air theatre, and laid the foundation stone for 3 projects, including the civil engineering department building, a guest house and the MCL hall of residence.

According to the official NIT Rourkela statement, the 1,000-seater open-air theatre is a part of the indoor sports complex and is built for Rs 6 crore, offering a hub for athletic, cultural, and recreational activities on campus.

The new infrastructure will aim to host state and national-level sports events in Rourkela, the official NIT Rourkela statement adds.

The event began with the inauguration of the indoor sports complex, under the student activity centre (SAC) at NIT Rourkela. The sports complex has been developed for Rs 35 crore and is designed to promote sports, fitness, and holistic student development.

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Education minister lays foundation stone for 3 infra projects

Speaking about the projects at NIT Rourkela, the education minister said: “Rourkela is not just a city but a symbol of India’s industrial and educational strength. As Odisha approaches its centenary in 2036 and the nation moves towards the centenary of Independence in 2047, institutions like NIT Rourkela will play a pivotal role in driving inclusive growth and national development.”

• Civil engineering department building : The building is constructed with an estimated cost of Rs 91.18 crores. The research building will strengthen the Institute’s founding departments and improve teaching, advanced laboratories, and industry-linked research.

• New guest house : The guest house is developed at a cost of Rs 33.51 to cater to the needs of academicians, industry experts, dignitaries, and alumni, improving campus hospitality infrastructure.

• MCL Hall of Residence : The hostel offers a capacity of 500 girls with an estimated cost of Rs 55.35 crore, and out of the total amount, Rs 43.82 crore has been sanctioned by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.

The event was attended by Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, the deputy speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly, along with other MLAs.

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Kendriya Vidyalaya at NIT Rourkela

The minister also visited the construction site of the permanent Kendriya Vidyalaya at NIT Rourkela.

“Sharing details on over Rs 800 crore worth of near-term and upcoming major infrastructural projects at NIT Rourkela, Pradip Sarkar the dean of planning and development informed that the Institute is nearing completion of the Academic Building at Bhubaneswar, which will serve as an extension centre of the Institute,” the official NIT Rourkela statement added.

Additionally, multiple residential and support facilities are also planned, including two 500-capacity hostel facilities, each for boys' and girls', 72 faculty residences, and 72 residences for non-teaching staff. The new campus will also include a Kendriya Vidyalaya and a 1.5 MLD sewage treatment plant to support infrastructure development.