Patna, Nov. 30: The state government has decided to give a facelift to Patna College that will celebrate its 150th foundation day on January 9 next year.

The administration of the oldest college in the state has submitted a list of “major construction and renovation work” to be carried out on its campus to the state human resource development (HRD) department and University Grants Commission (UGC). The Rs 6.5-crore renovation and construction work is likely to begin from February 2012 and will continue till 2013.

“Once the construction and renovation work is over, the college will get a new look. There will be a rose garden that will have rare varieties of flowers, an indoor stadium, a gymnasium and other facilities,” Patna College principal Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh told The Telegraph.

“We had submitted the proposal three months ago. We have recently come to know that the HRD department has shown keen interest in the project and is likely to release the funds soon for carrying out the renovation and construction work,” he added.

Recently, HRD department secretary S. Shivkumar visited the college campus and sought details about major construction and renovation work to be carried out in the college. The college authorities are also depending upon UGC for funds as the college is one of the oldest institutions in eastern India.

The college, which was established in 1863, had envisaged the educational ideals of the 20th century. From the beginning of the 21st century, the college contributed towards the development of human life and it was famous for its academic faculty and students. But over the passage of time, the college witnessed a drastic fall both in academic as well as in infrastructure.

The college building resembles the finest example of Dutch architecture with tall dome and arch-shaped gates. But in the last few years, it has seen degradation with the plaster on walls crumbling, water leaking through roof and broken windowpanes. Apart from the college building, the five hostels — Minto Hostel, Jackson Hostel, Iqbal Hostel, New Hostel and Nadvi Hostel — require urgent attention. Most of the floors and ceilings of the hostels have developed cracks; the walls of the hostels are in dilapidated conditions and need urgent repairs.

Water leaks through the roof during monsoon, while the windows without grilles can invite any accident. Moreover, the boundary walls of the college are broken.

The college principal said: “According to our plan, the construction of PCC Road on the campus will require Rs 1,04,50,000. Wilson Rose Garden used to draw tourists from far-off places to the college.”

Randhir Kumar Singh, a college teacher, said: “Wilson Rose Garden, which was situated at the northern side of college in front of the river, used to draw tourists from all over the state. It was also a pride of the college. However, with the period of time, Wilson Rose Garden became non-existent and it became a playground.

Wilson Rose Garden is to be constructed at a cost of Rs 17 lakh and it will be situated at the rear side of the college campus opposite the Ganga and Rs 14 lakh will be pumped in for the boundary wall of the garden, which will spread over an area of 1 acre.

The second floor of Gyan Mandir (library) will be constructed and the college administration will spend Rs 67,68,000. To cope with the increasing number of students appearing in university and other competitive examinations, the single-storey examination hall of Patna College will be extended up to the third floor at an estimated cost of Rs 89,60,000.

Besides, with an aim to increase sporting activities among students, an indoor stadium will be constructed in front of the Iqbal Hostel. The indoor stadium will have sports kits for major indoor games, including table tennis board, badminton court, snooker table and other indoor games kits.

The college will also get the gymnasium building repaired at a cost of Rs 42,00,000. The college seminar hall that has held major seminars and conferences will be renovated at Rs 13, 00,000.