IIT Madras mulls satellite campus

The new campus will enable the institute to accommodate more than 12,000 students and 1,000 faculty members as envisaged in the Kakodkar Committee recommendations.

The development of a satellite campus opens various possibilities, including provide space for creating large inter-disciplinary centres as physically and architecturally distinct units, creating the ambience of a discovery park. Additional accommodation for scholars, faculty and staff members could also be created there. It could also accommodate facilities such as a convention centre. Funds could be raised from donors to create world-class infrastructure for the proposedsatellite campus.

Meanwhile, sustainability of the present campus is also taken up with a plan to augment the wastewater treatment towards zero discharge.

Energy conservation measures will be implemented by increasing the efficiency of appliances and the use of renewable energy sources. Progressively, measures will be introduced to minimise energy consumption for air-conditioning.

Systems are being strengthened to improve waste disposal and handling processes and to ensure recycling of all materials. Measures are being taken to dispose of hazardous waste in a safe manner. Land use is being optimised through full lifecycle planning of built infrastructure.

New facilities planned in the hostel zone are nearly complete; the residential zone needs around 150–200 more housing units to be built. The first phase of expansion in the academic zone is ongoing, with old structures being demolished. There is scope for addition of another 20,000 square meters by rebuilding old laboratories and workshops, sources said.