Patna: The Bihar government has accelerated the construction of residential schools and hostels for students belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, with several projects currently underway across the state. Officials from the Building Construction Department said the initiative aims to strengthen educational infrastructure and provide better living and learning facilities for marginalised students.
The projects include the construction of 36 Dr B.R. Ambedkar Residential Schools, each with a capacity of 720 seats. In addition, residential schools with a capacity of 480 seats are being built in Bhojpur and Samastipur. The department is also constructing more than 55 government hostels with a capacity of 100 students each in different districts. Renovation and repair work of existing residential school buildings is also being undertaken simultaneously.
According to the department, the construction of Dr B.R. Ambedkar Residential Schools is progressing in districts such as Darbhanga, Nawada, Aurangabad, Purnia, Gaya, Jehanabad, Khagaria, Muzaffarpur, Nalanda, Patna, Samastipur, Supaul, Begusarai and Gopalganj. Officials said work is at different stages across locations, and efforts are being made to complete the projects as quickly as possible. In some areas, issues related to land availability and other logistical challenges have been identified, and steps are being taken to resolve them.
Building Construction Department Secretary Kumar Ravi said the projects are being implemented in mission mode to improve access to education for SC and ST students. He said construction of several buildings has already been completed, while executive engineers have been directed to start work immediately at locations where construction has not yet begun. Regular site inspections are being conducted to ensure quality construction and timely completion.
Apart from academic facilities, the residential schools will include hostel accommodation for students along with basic amenities. Housing facilities are also being developed for teaching and non-teaching staff. The government says the campuses will offer an environment that supports the overall development of students, including accommodation, meals, books, sports facilities and other essential resources.
Meanwhile, hostels with a capacity of 100 students are in the finishing stage in places such as Karakat, Kochas, Dariyapur, Samastipur and Alamnagar. In addition, Savitribai Phule Girls’ Hostels with a capacity of 100 seats are being constructed in several locations. Officials said the girls’ hostel in Buxar is nearly complete, while work on other projects is being expedited for early completion.
