Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated key infrastructure initiatives at the National Institute of Technology Rourkela on Saturday (Dec 27).
The occasion included the inauguration of the Indoor Sports Complex and a 1,000-seater open-air theatre, along with the foundation stone laying of three major projects, marking a significant milestone in the Institute’s academic and infrastructural development.
Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, Deputy Speaker, Odisha Legislative Assembly, along with Sarada Prasad Nayak, MLA, Rourkela; Durga Charan Tanti, MLA, Raghunathpalli, and Tankadhar Tripathy, MLA, Jharsuguda, graced the event with their esteemed presence.
The event commenced with Union Minister Pradhan, inaugurating the Indoor Sports Complex, a facility under the Student Activity Centre (SAC), NIT Rourkela. This state-of-the-art complex has been developed at Rs 35 crore and is designed to promote sports, fitness, and holistic student development.
Built to international standards, the Sports complex houses –
- Multipurpose hall with badminton, lawn tennis, and volleyball courts
- Yoga, Dance, Music, and Drama halls
- Two double-height squash courts
- Basketball and badminton court
- Film and photography room
- Recreational hall
- Snooker/billiard, table tennis, carom and chess rooms
- Gymnasium
- Other multipurpose rooms and lockers
A 1,000-seater open-air theatre, built at a cost of Rs. 6 Crore, is a key part of the Indoor Sports Complex, providing a vibrant hub for athletic, cultural, and recreational activities on campus. This infrastructure will aim at hosting state and national-level sports events in Rourkela.
Speaking during the event, Chief Guest Dharmendra Pradhan ji said, “It is heartening to witness the remarkable progress of NIT Rourkela in advancing education, research, and innovation. The sports complex inaugurated today will help students reach new heights not only in sports but also in creative and cultural spheres. The Institute is playing a leading role in driving technological growth in Odisha and contributing to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. NIT Rourkela is nurturing future job creators through incubating startups. Its exploratory research is addressing sustainable development and critical challenges such as climate change and energy conservation. With its vibrant alumni community around the globe, I am confident that the Institute will play a decisive role in shaping India’s economic and industrial future.”
Union Education Minister added, “Rourkela is not just a city but a symbol of India’s industrial and educational strength. As Odisha approaches its centenary in 2036 and the nation moves towards the centenary of Independence in 2047, institutions like NIT Rourkela will play a pivotal role in driving inclusive growth and national development.”
Welcoming the dignitaries, Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director, NIT Rourkela, said, “We are profoundly honoured by the gracious presence of the Hon’ble Minister of Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, on this monumental day for our Institute. Since its establishment, NIT Rourkela has remained steadfast in its mission to serve the nation through excellence in education, research, and innovation. NIT Rourkela proudly stands ranked 2nd among all NITs and 13th in Engineering Education nationwide in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025. Our Department of Planning and Architecture is ranked 7th in the country, and NIT Rourkela is the only NIT placed in the top ten for the Sustainable Development Goals, securing the 9th rank nationally.”
Prof. Rao added, “The launch of state-of-the-art infrastructure projects at the Institute reinforces our commitment to providing a world-class, holistic, and student-centric ecosystem. The ongoing and upcoming major initiatives will make our Institute the first and most preferred choice for young men and women pursuing higher education in engineering and science. I take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to the Hon’ble Minister of Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, for his constant support and encouragement. The Institute also expresses its sincere gratitude to all the other honourable dignitaries for their visit to the event and their continued support towards the growth and development of NIT Rourkela.”
Speaking during the event, Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, Deputy Speaker, Odisha Legislative Assembly, said, “NIT Rourkela is a centre of excellence in innovation, engineering, and entrepreneurship, producing scientists, technocrats, and good administrators, who serve the nation with distinction. I thank Shri Dharmendra Pradhan ji for implementing NEP 2020, which is equipping students with modern skills and a holistic education essential for nation-building.”
Major projects launched and inaugurated by Dharmendra Pradhan included the Bhoomi Pujan and Shilanyas ceremonies of –
- Civil Engineering Department Building – Being constructed with an estimated cost of Rs. 91.18 Crores, this dedicated academic and research building will strengthen one of the Institute’s founding departments, and enhance teaching, advanced laboratories, and industry-linked research.
- New Institute Guest House – A modern, well-equipped guest house to cater to visiting academicians, industry experts, dignitaries, and alumni, significantly improving campus hospitality infrastructure. This will be developed with an estimated cost of Rs. 33.51 Crore
- MCL Hall of Residence (500-Capacity Girls’ Hostel) – Being developed with an estimated cost of Rs. 55.35 Crore, this hostel will substantially augment residential facilities for women students and promote inclusive campus growth. Of the total amount Rs. 43.82 Crore has been sanctioned by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.
Pradhan also visited the construction site of the permanent Kendriya Vidyalaya at NIT Rourkela.
Sharing details on over Rs. 800 crore worth of near-term and upcoming major infrastructural projects at NIT Rourkela, Prof. Pradip Sarkar, Dean of Planning and Development at NIT Rourkela, informed that the Institute is nearing completion of the Academic Building at Bhubaneswar, which will serve as an extension centre of the Institute. In addition, multiple residential and support facilities are planned, including two 500-capacity boys’ hostels, three 500-capacity girls’ hostels, 72 faculty residences, and 72 residences for non-teaching staff. The campus will also feature a Kendriya Vidyalaya and a 1.5 MLD sewage treatment plant to support sustainable infrastructure development. These projects will form part of the next phase of campus infrastructure expansion.
These initiatives represent a significant investment in the future of NIT Rourkela, strengthening excellence in education, research, innovation, holistic student development, and overall campus standards.
