During vacations, a deathly silence usually lingers in the air on college campuses. Delhi University, however, does not have the luxury of such a silence as most campuses have become a hub of construction activities. They are trying hard to create spaces to accommodate extra students and teachers from the OBC expansion scheme and the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP), both of which have struck the colleges within a very short span of time.
“We are building an entire academic block, with classrooms, laboratories, faculty rooms and even store rooms. The foundation stone was laid for five floors and we will finish construction in March or early April 2015. The funds have been received under the OBC expansion scheme, but the Rs.11.81 crore that the university has given us is only enough to construct three floors,” said Ramjas College principal Rajendra Prasad. He added that they would be forced to work throughout the year to finish the construction.
The all-girls Miranda House which has the best-kept library among North Campus libraries is making it even better. “We are re-flooring the entire space since it had started shrinking, it is after all a very old building. The stacks are also being repaired and repainted,” said Miranda House principal Pratiba Jolly, adding that they were racing against time to have the library ready for their students before the academic year begins.
The Science department is also undergoing a make-over and some very special construction is also being undertaken for the faculty. “We are building a faculty lounge and since teachers must also have their own work stations, we are building them custom-designed wood work,” she added.
Even the drains in Shri Ram College of Commerce seem to be undergoing a make-over along with its canteen. “We have also been constructing a girls’ hostel, which will be ready in a couple of days. Even our fire-fighting hydraulic system is being re-hauled and modernised. The entire process has cost approximately Rs.10 crore,” said SRCC principal P.C. Jain, adding that the only time construction could take place was in the holidays since classes would get disturbed otherwise.
The Hindu College recently laid the foundation stone for its girls’ hostel and is revamping its compound. “We will be approaching the UGC for the remaining funds to finish constructing the block,” added Dr. Prasad.
