IIT Madras inaugurates largest state-of-the-art hostel on campus

Constructed at a cost of INR 146.75 crore, Mandakini hostel can accommodate around 1,200 students and enables treatment of both surface and roof rainwater for reuse for potable water consumption. 

Mandakini hostel on the IIT Madras campus.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has inaugurated its largest students’ hostel, which can accommodate as many as 1,200 students. Called ‘Mandakini’, the building was constructed at a cost of INR 146.75 crore after an older hostel building was demolished.  

Hostel equipped with solar panels 

A state-of-the-art building with 10 storeys and a built-up area of 32,180 square metre is designed for four-star rating in GRIHA, a national rating system for green buildings, with various green building measures adopted in the design and construction stage. Solar power panels and solar hot water system are adopted to reduce the energy consumption of the building.  

IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti said, “We (the institute) take pride in providing top quality accommodation for our students within our campus.”  

Reduction in water consumption is achieved by the usage of treated wastewater for flushing and landscaping. Both surface and roof rainwater is treated and reused for potable water consumption.  

The building is designed in such a way that sufficient light enters each corridor and each room. The interaction area with transparent light roofing at the terrace level is provided for casual relaxation of students.  

Disabled-friendly hostel

The structure is PwD (Persons with Disabilities)-friendly with 10 PwD accommodation. Staircase, ramp and lifts in the entire structure were designed to be PwD friendly. PwD rooms with attached toilets have also been provided. 

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