New Delhi: In a landmark move aimed at reshaping Delhi’s higher education landscape, the Delhi Government has taken a decisive step toward developing Narela Education City into a world-class education and innovation hub, significantly expanding both its scale and investment.
Addressing a press conference, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood announced that under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the government has accelerated work on the ambitious Narela Education City project, envisioning it as a global-standard shared campus for education, research, and innovation.
Land Handed Over, Project Gains Momentum
In the presence of the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor at Raj Niwas, possession letters were formally handed over to:
- Delhi Teachers University – approx. 12.69 acres
- Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) – approx. 22.43 acres
Earlier, Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW) had already been allotted 50 acres of land.
With these allocations, nearly 160 acres in Narela are now earmarked for developing a world-class education and innovation ecosystem, marking a major breakthrough for the long-pending project.
Budget Jump Reflects Youth-Focused Vision
Minister Sood revealed that while the project initially carried a budgetary allocation of ₹500 crore, the government has now enhanced the outlay to ₹1,300 crore, citing the long-term needs of Delhi’s youth and future workforce.
So far, the Delhi Government has already released ₹452 crore to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), with the remaining amount scheduled to be paid within the current financial year.
Beyond Buildings: A Shared Global Campus Model
Emphasising quality over mere construction, the Education Minister said the Narela Education City will not be limited to standalone university buildings.
Instead, it will follow a global shared-campus model, featuring:
- Advanced libraries
- State-of-the-art laboratories
- Seminar halls and auditoriums
- Research, innovation and incubation facilities
This integrated approach aims to ensure optimal use of resources and wider access to world-class facilities for students across institutions.
Housing for Faculty & Staff
To support sustainable academic ecosystems, residential facilities will also be developed within the university campuses.
Housing will include LIG, MIG, HIG and EWS flats for faculty and staff.
Universities are expected to invest approximately ₹567 crore in building hostels, residential units, and allied infrastructure. The planning process is being guided by scientific studies and international-level consultants, the minister added.
Connectivity, Jobs & Regional Growth
Highlighting Narela’s strategic importance, Sood pointed to the ongoing Rithala–Narela Metro Corridor, which is expected to significantly improve connectivity and spur regional development.
The establishment of multiple universities is also projected to generate large-scale direct and indirect employment, including:
- Teaching and non-teaching jobs
- Hostel and campus services
- Support industries and local businesses
“Change Visible on the Ground”
Minister Sood said that within just 11 months of governance, the Delhi Government has delivered tangible progress in school, higher and technical education, stressing that these reforms are not limited to announcements but visible on the ground.
He also noted that the Delhi Startup Youth Festival, which began on January 9, has already seen participation from over 750 startups, with an interaction session involving the Chief Minister and senior industry experts scheduled for January 14.
“This is our commitment to building a future-ready education system for the Amrit Peedhi in the Amrit Kaal,” Sood said.
