Morning walkers and joggers have good reason to cheer with the state government sanctioning Rs 3.5 crore for a 1.75-km jogging track inside Gandhi Maidan.

Patna divisional commissioner Anand Kishor, who heads the maintenance, security and beautification committee for the 62-acre ground, announced this on Sunday.

"I had approached the urban development and housing department to sanction funds for the Maidan jogging track. It has sanctioned Rs 3.5 crore now," Kishor told The Telegraph at his official chamber.

The track will be laid with morrum soil adjacent to the inner edge of the concrete path on which tiles will be fixed.

"Work will be completed within four months. I have given strict instructions that any tree that falls on the jogging track should be cut. Once the jogging track is complete, it will be beneficial for morning walkers," said Kishor.

Morning walkers, who use the concrete road inside the ground, have demanded a jogging track on the pattern of the one at Eco Park. Mithlesh Kumar, a resident of SP Verma Road, was delighted about the upcoming jogging track. He said: "I am happy that the track has finally started taking shape. Normally, I avoid walking on concrete path and walk on the ground itself. But it is dangerous because at times, I find holes dug up in the ground, which can hurt my feet."

Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BuidCo) of the urban development and housing department will execute the project.

In the past several years, Gandhi Maidan has undergone many changes. Exclusive open-air gyms for men and women have come up, high-mast lights have been installed, karate and yoga stages have been built.

Kishor stressed that the young can walk on the concrete path but it was difficult for senior citizens. "Walking on the concrete path is not advisable for the elderly. So we decided to lay a proper jogging track," he said.

"Within one week, the work would be awarded to the agency which clinches the bid. From July 3, 2017, actual work will start," said Kishor.

Elaborating, the divisional commissioner said the track will have two lanes, each of six feet, with a divider and lights. The funds will also be utilised for other work like installing 60 steel dustbins, 70 Gothic-design iron benches and 60 Gothic lights.

The committee has already earmarked 3,600sqft space on the Maidan's eastern part in front of Udyog Bhavan for a food court.