India, Oct. 9 -- Nearly 11 years after the original building was declared dilapidated and demolished, the Maharashtra government has sanctioned Rs.41.21 crore for the reconstruction of the Siddharth Vihar Hostel in Wadala. The decision will revive a facility established by Dr BR Ambedkar to expand access to education for Dalit students.

The hostel building was declared dilapidated by the BMC in 1987 and demolished in February 2015. After that, prolonged delays over funding and approvals kept the redevelopment of the institution in Limbo. Things are now moving in the run-up to the 135th birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar in April next year, with a government order releasing Rs.41.21 crore for the hostel's reconstruction.

The three-storey h...