34 schools to be demolished; Delhi govt to build 27 new school buildings

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has ordered the demolition of 34 government schools over safety concerns and plans to construct 27 new school buildings across the city. The schools identified for demolition include those affected by flooding, buildings with structural and safety issues, and schools located in areas considered unsuitable for students.

The new schools will be built on vacant plots at an estimated cost of Rs 900 crore, with the government aiming to complete the project within 18 months. To ensure faster implementation and effective monitoring, the project areas have been divided into five clusters. Work on 16 of the 34 identified schools is already underway, while approvals have been granted for nine more.

The government carried out a comprehensive digital profiling of infrastructure and safety at all 1,090 government schools in the national capital, with the Education Department taking further action based on the findings. Details of classrooms and school buildings have already been digitised, while 360-degree imaging has been used to document every room and provide virtual walkthroughs.

Drone surveys, high-resolution images and GIS-based visualisation are also being used for planning. Scientific tests, including ultrasonic pulse and rebound hammer tests, are being conducted to assess the structural safety of the buildings. The Directorate of Education has invited tenders from central public sector enterprises for the turnkey construction of the 27 new schools.

The new school buildings will be constructed at several locations across Delhi. Six plots have been identified in Narela and Bawana; five in Bhalswa, Salempur Majra and Daryapur Kalan; and another five in Rohini, Mundka and Sawda Ghevra. Six plots have also been identified in Shalimar Bagh, Bakkarwala, Hastsal, Shyam Vihar and Nangli Vihar, while six more are located in Qutabpur, Kapashera, Jaffarpur, Jaunpur, Satbari and Asola.