India, July 1 -- The Delhi government will build a sports hostel with an international-standard all-weather swimming complex and gymnastics hall at Pitampura at a cost of Rs 99.52 crore, besides undertaking repair, renovation and infrastructure upgradation of 75 CM SHRI schools for Rs 264.91 crore. According to an Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) document, the proposals have been processed by the Directorate of Education (DoE) and include the construction of the sports hostel at an estimated cost of over Rs 99.51 crore and systematic infrastructure upgradation of CM SHRI schools at Rs 264.91 crore. Also Read - Fire destroys goods worth crores at electronics store The project includes the construction of ground plus seven-floor boys and girls' hostels, a long-span steel-structured covered swimming pool, a gymnastics hall, water supply and sanitation facilities, electrical installations, CCTV, fire-fighting and fire alarm systems, solar power generation, sewage treatment plant and other external development works. It said the proposal was revised after officials observed the need for an all-weather swimming pool capable of hosting multiple aquatic activities simultaneously, including 50-metre and 25-metre competitions, water polo and other events. The earlier proposal had a fair-weather pool, which was considered inadequate for year-round use and international-standard competitions. Also Read - Police nabs Tillu Tajpuria gang aide in Alipur firing case According to the document, replacing the fair-weather pool with an all-weather international-standard facility, along with changes in design and scope, led to an increase in the project cost. The revised estimate also reflects additional statutory liabilities and the increase in GST from 12 per cent to 18 per cent. It said the revised project cost includes Rs 75.20 crore for civil and electrical works and Rs 15.66 crore for specialised swimming pool components, and added that Rs 67.20 crore has already been sanctioned or released to the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) for the project till 2025-26, while Rs 50 crore has been allocated in the 2026-27 Budget, making sufficient funds available. In another proposal, the EFC recommended a Rs 264.91 crore plan for repair, renovation and systematic infrastructure upgradation of 75 CM SHRI schools in Delhi. According to the official document, the schools were notified as "specified category" institutions under the DoE following a cabinet decision in May 2025 and a subsequent notification published in the Delhi Gazette in September 2025. The project aims to improve education, safety and campus infrastructure through repairs, upgraded laboratories, libraries, sports facilities, accessibility features and fire safety systems. The 75 schools have been divided into five clusters, with works to be executed by PWD and selected PSUs.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.