IIT Bhilai set for major expansion with Rs 1,400 crore investment and 1,500 additional seats

RAIPUR: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhilai is set for a new expansion plan with an increased number of 1500 seats to a total seat count of 2750, after the Central Government has approved a Rs 1,400 crore extension plan for the Institute.This initiative is expected to more than double the institute’s student intake capacity, enhance infrastructure, and establish the state’s first dedicated research park.According to officials, presently, IIT Bhilai accommodates 1,250 students across various engineering disciplines. Under the new expansion plan, the seat count will be increased to 2,750, allowing the institute to graduate over 2,700 engineers annually. The expansion forms part of Phase 1, Stage B of the long-term development project, following the completion of Stage A at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore. The campus, situated on a 460-acre site in Kutelabhata, will now undergo further construction across a significantly larger area.According to Dr. Jayesh Chandra S. Pai, Registrar of IIT Bhilai and a retired Wing Commander, the development is structured into three phases. Once fully completed, the campus will accommodate 12,000 students, 1,200 faculty members, and 1,320 support staff. In the first phase, the infrastructure is being prepared for 2,500 students, 250 faculty members, and 275 staff.Stage B of the expansion will include the construction of two additional engineering departments, one science department, a large advanced laboratory, three hostels for male and female students, a visitor hostel, and residential quarters to house between 200 and 250 staff members.A full-sized sports complex will also be developed. Several essential facilities that were not included in Stage A—such as the administrative building and a large auditorium—will be built during this phase. The institute is also expected to receive double the amount of laboratory equipment compared to Stage A, featuring high-end, state-of-the-art technology, the institute officials said.A major highlight of this expansion is the establishment of a 15,000 square meter research park within the IIT Bhilai campus. Modelled on similar facilities at IIT Madras and IIT Bombay, this will be the first research park in Chhattisgarh.The facility is intended to foster innovation, collaboration between academia and industry, and support for local startups and entrepreneurs. It will allow local MSMEs to conduct applied research and improve product development, opening new opportunities for industrial growth and job creation. The research park is expected to contribute not only to academic excellence but also to regional development.This expansion comes at a time when India is focusing on strengthening its technical education landscape. Dr. Pai emphasized that every additional seat at IIT Bhilai represents one more highly skilled engineer entering the workforce. He also noted that the research park will be instrumental in building a self-reliant and innovation-driven ecosystem.The development of IIT Bhilai follows a phased approach due to the scale and complexity of the project. By constructing essential facilities like classrooms and hostels early in the process, the institute has been able to commence academic activities while continuing construction.