From the next academic session, Patna Science College and Patna College will have a fresh look-and-feel.

Water won’t seep through the roofs of the two heritage buildings. Ugly wires criss-crossing the buildings would be concealed. Students would get new gadgets for carrying out experiments in the laboratories. Price of all these: over Rs 5.5 crore.

The state government would pump in the funds for the renovation of the colleges figuring in the list of heritage buildings. The state education department’s Infrastructure Development Board would carry out the renovation works.

State education department secretary S. Shiv Kumar said: “The state government has allocated Rs 2.72 crore to Patna College and Rs 2.77 crore to Patna Science College for repair and renovation works.”

Patna College, the oldest college of the state and popularly known as “Oxford of East”, was established in 1863. Patna Science College was set up in 1928.

Principal of Patna Science College Arun Kumar Sinha said: “The funds will be used for cement casting of roofs. The administrative department and seven academic blocks will get a fresh coat of paint.”

Sinha said no renovation work had been carried out at the college building for more than two decades. He expects the Infrastructure Development Board to take up the renovation work in a fortnight.

In September 2010, a portion of the roof of the botany department at Patna Science College collapsed. Though no one was injured, it triggered demands for renovation work.

Besides Rs 2.77 crore from the state, Patna Science College would get Rs 50 lakh aid from the department of science and technology (Union government) for giving a boost to teaching and research activities. Sinha said a meeting in this connection was held last week in Patna. Representatives of the Union government, state government and Patna University participated in it.

“The Rs 50 lakh will be spent on purchase of chemicals, lab equipment and modernisation of laboratories,” Sinha said.

A student of Patna Science College said: “The laboratories of the institution require a makeover. Students face difficulties in practical classes in the absence of chemicals and gadgets.”

Like Patna Science College, Patna College will also undergo an image makeover with the focus on repairing dilapidated hostel buildings. Increasing the height of the college boundary wall, provision for safe drinking water and concealed wiring in hostels are also on the cards.

Randhir Kumar Singh, a teacher of Patna College, said: “The renovation plan for Patna College was announced by chief minister Nitish Kumar during the sesquicentennial year celebrations held on college campus in January this year.”

Raghuraj, a student of Minto Hostel, said: “The hostel buildings are in a poor shape. Water seepage through roof during monsoon is common. As the government has announced renovation plan for the college building and hostels, we are hoping to get a better ambience to live in.”