Delhi to demolish 34 government schools, build 27 new campuses

The Delhi government plans to replace 34 government school buildings deemed unsafe or unsuitable with new infrastructure, while developing 27 new school campuses at vacant sites across the city.

The new buildings are estimated to cost around ₹900 crore and are expected to be completed within 18 months, according to a government official. To speed up construction and strengthen oversight, the 27 sites have been grouped into five geographical clusters.

Of the 34 schools marked for demolition, construction-related work has already started at 16 locations, while proposals for nine others have received approval.

The identified schools include campuses affected by waterlogging, buildings with safety-related deficiencies and sites considered unsuitable for students.

The decision comes after the Delhi Education Department completed a digital profiling exercise covering all 1,090 government schools in the city. The department is now evaluating the information collected to identify infrastructure upgrades needed at individual campuses.

The official said the assessment has highlighted problems involving electricity, water supply and deteriorating buildings across several schools.

As part of the exercise, school assets have been documented at both classroom and building levels. The assessment covers cleanliness, drinking water, security, furniture, digital facilities, kitchens and laboratories.

The department has also created 360-degree digital images of individual rooms, generating a permanent record of school infrastructure. The technology allows officials to conduct virtual walkthroughs and use the information for future planning and infrastructure decisions.

Drone surveys, high-resolution orthomosaic imagery and geographic information system-based visualization are being incorporated into the exercise to support infrastructure planning, cost estimation and monitoring.

Structural safety assessments are also being carried out through visual inspections and non-destructive testing. These include ultrasonic pulse testing and rebound hammer tests to assess the condition of existing structures.

Based on the findings, school buildings will be classified for continued use, repair, retrofitting or demolition, with the assessment aimed at improving safety for students and staff.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Education (DoE) has invited bids from Central government public sector undertakings (PSUs) to serve as project management consultant-cum-EPC agencies for the turnkey construction of the 27 proposed schools.

The sites have been organized into five clusters to facilitate implementation. Six plots are located across Narela and Bawana; five across Bhalswa, Salempur Majra and Dariyapur Kalan; five in Rohini, Mundka and Sawda Ghevra; five in Shalimar Bagh, Bakkarwala, Hastsal, Shyam Vihar and Nangli Vihar; and six in Qutabapur, Kapashera, Jaffarpur, Jaunapur, Satbari and Asola.