A significant milestone in student infrastructure development was achieved with the inauguration of Hostel 19, located adjacent to Hostel 18 in the IIT Bombay campus.
The event commenced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by address of Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, the newly appointed Chairperson of the Board of Governors, IIT Bombay in the presence of Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare; Prof. Ravindra Gudi, Deputy Director (Finance, Infrastructure and Administration); Prof. Milind Atrey, Deputy Director (Academics, Research and Translation); Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla, Dean (Student Affairs); Prof. Atul Srivastava, Associate Dean (Student Affairs); Prof. P. Vedagiri, Dean (Infrastructure Planning & Support) and his team. Several other distinguished guests were also present including former Director Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri, Prof. S. Sudarshan, former Deputy Director (AIA) and Prof. K.V. Krishna Rao, former Deputy Director (FIA).
The ceremony began at 11:00 a.m. with a formal welcome by Prof. P. Vedagiri, who highlighted the key features of Hostel 19 and also elaborated on the project, its planning and its importance for the campus. The Institute’s Director Prof. Kedare appreciated the efforts of the Infrastructure Planning & Support Office and reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to continuously enhancing student residential facilities.
As part of the inauguration, Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, the new Chairperson of the Board of Governors, IIT Bombay, planted a sapling at the entrance of Hostel 19, under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign - symbolizing a commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Hostel 19 at IIT Bombay is designed to accommodate 1,051 students in a thoughtfully planned environment that promotes personal comfort, social interaction and sustainability. The G+9 structure, with a total built-up area of 3 Lakh square feet, follows a courtyard-style layout to maximize natural light, ventilation and community engagement.
Each room is ergonomically designed with a bed, study area and wardrobe. The lower and upper ground floors house most of the common facilities, while the roof of the dining block serves as a recreational terrace for student activities.
Common amenities are judiciously distributed across various levels. These include a spacious dining hall equipped with a fresh air ventilation system and HVLS fans, with a seating capacity of 650 diners at a time, and a fully equipped kitchen featuring cold storage, food preparation and serving areas. Additional facilities include a 24×7 cafeteria, gymnasium and indoor games rooms, along with music, dance/ yoga and computer/study rooms. Hostel 19 stands as a testament to IIT Bombay’s ongoing efforts in providing world-class residential and recreational facilities for its students.