Patna: Gandhi Maidan will be beautified by September.

By next month the work on the morrum pathway, installation of chequered tiles, light and benches would be completed spending around Rs 3-crore.

The work had come to a standstill because of continuous rain and preparation for Independence Day events. Now, the executing agency has fast-tracked the work to complete it on time. The project is running behind schedule by almost 15 days. Patna divisional commissioner Anand Kishor, who heads the committee that looks after the maintenance and security of the ground, said the work would be done by next month.

"The work on the morrum pathway and installation of chequered tiles, lights and benches is being done smoothly and by next month we will officially hand over it to the people of Patna. The work will be completed by September first week. We are also planning to call the minister concerned to inaugurate the services," Kishor said.

A few portions of the ground has been damaged because of continuous plying of heavy vehicles that carried materials for the preparation of the I-Day programme. However, the executing agency has repaired the damaged portions.

Even the morrum pathway, which was removed at 20 places, has been repaired. It was removed to drain out the accumulated water as there were drains below the pathway.

The morrum pathway is used for jogging and the jogging track is around 2-km long and the chequered red tile adjacent the jogging track is of equal length. The beautification work includes installation of 160 wooden-wrought iron benches apart from 58 designer lights.

Around 150 benches have been installed and the designer lights are on their way to Patna from Maharashtra.

The committee which looks after the maintenance and security of the ground decided to install signboards at every gate giving information on distances of the ground hotspots.

Kishor said: "When people enter the ground, they look for certain information about it. The ground is spread over 62 acres, so, if we provide them information on the important places inside the ground they do not need to waste their time in searching and can directly reach there. The signboards will be visible in the night."