Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates Rs 200-crore infrastructure projects at NIT Rourkela
By Swagatika Bhutia
Rourkela, Dec. 28: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday inaugurated and laid foundation stones for major infrastructure projects worth over Rs 200 crore at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, aimed at strengthening academic facilities, student well-being and inclusivity.
The key inauguration included a state-of-the-art indoor sports complex, developed at a cost of Rs 35 crore, and a 1,000-seater open-air theatre built at Rs 6 crore. The minister also laid the foundation stone for three additional projects, marking a significant boost to the institute’s campus infrastructure.
The Indoor Sports Complex, developed under the Student Activity Centre, has been built to international standards and includes a multipurpose sports hall, squash courts, gymnasium, yoga, dance and music halls, recreational and indoor games facilities, and spaces for cultural and creative activities. The open-air theatre will serve as a hub for cultural events and is expected to help Rourkela host state and national-level sports competitions.
Addressing the gathering, Pradhan said the new facilities would help students excel not only in academics but also in sports and cultural pursuits. He said NIT Rourkela was playing a crucial role in advancing education, research and innovation in Odisha, while contributing to the Centre’s vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
“NIT Rourkela is nurturing future job creators through startups and cutting-edge research focused on sustainability, climate change and energy conservation,” he said, adding that the institute’s alumni network and research ecosystem would play a key role in India’s economic and industrial growth.
Pradhan also described Rourkela as a symbol of India’s industrial and educational strength, and said institutions like NIT Rourkela would be central to inclusive national development as Odisha approaches its centenary in 2036 and India marks 100 years of Independence in 2047.
The event was attended by Odisha Assembly Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, MLAs Sarada Prasad Nayak, Durga Charan Tanti and Tankadhar Tripathy, among others.
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Photograph: Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan at National Institute of Technology, Rourkela.
