Patna, Jan. 12: The new year has started on a positive note for Sri Arvind Mahila College as a major facelift is underway on the Kazipur campus of the institute.

The college has not left behind any detail on its path to a makeover — from sports to infrastructure and food. All facilities are on the cards.

Earlier, students, in the mood for some sportsmanship, had to make do with an open ground on the campus. No more. A stadium, which would have volleyball and badminton courts and a cricket pitch as well, will certainly make the students happy.

A round of any physical activity is bound to make one hungry and the college has put its mind to that, too. The stadium complex will have an underground cafeteria.

Construction work on the stadium is on and authorities said it is likely to be over by March. Principal Asha Singh said: “The stadium, which is under construction, is a three-month project. It would most likely be ready by March. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has sanctioned Rs 65 lakh for the construction of a stadium from its sports infrastructure development funds. It would have different courts for volleyball and badminton, apart from a cricket ground. The work is on under the guidance of the sports coaches. I am very excited about the stadium as it would encourage sports activities among the students.”

Once the stadium is complete, the girls won’t have to worry about wrapping up their games early. The college has planned elaborate lighting arrangements for them. The principal said: “Lighting arrangements are being made with an estimated Rs 20 lakh from the UGC’s sports infrastructure development funds. We will install high-mast lights on the ground as well as on the campus.”

A hostel has also been constructed on the campus and will be able to accommodate 85 students once it becomes operational. The college has also obtained the necessary permission from Bihar State Electricity Board for power connection. “We have floated tenders for providing washroom accessories. We have to appoint officials for the hostel like a warden and complete a few more formalities. The hostel will become operational by May. Earlier, the college did not have a single hostel and the students had to live in private accommodation outside the campus. The new hostel is one of the dream projects of the college,” said Singh. The hostel, too, has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore from the UGC funds for girls’ hostel.

The principal added: “A science block that would house the physics, chemistry and information and computer technology departments is also under construction. That too will be completed by March. The state government has allotted Rs 1.45 crore for building the science block.”

A new hall and an e-library are also under construction with funds under the MP local area development scheme. The students will have a reading area, something that was missing at the old library. Singh said: “We are also in the process of creating an alternative road to the college as the present approach road is very congested and has open drains. State government officials came for an inspection three days ago and an alternative road will soon be developed on the eastern side of this college.”

Students and teachers are excited about the new projects. Shivani Kumari, a BSc Part I student, said: “I am happy that we will soon have an e-library at the college. The reading area will be very helpful.”

Sanskrit teacher Geeta Kumari Sharma said: “A hostel and a good library are the basic amenities for a college and I am happy that our students will soon have them here.”

The principal added that the college would also launch various short-term courses on cooking and sewing that would vary from 15 days to 3 months.