Bhubaneswar, Sept. 21: Shooters will shortly get a 50-metre shooting range - a first-of-its-kind facility developed by the state government for the growth of the sport in Odisha.

The new shooting range, which would be built for Rs 1.1 crore, would start functioning at the Kalinga Sports Complex from November onwards.

The construction of the range, which started last year, is nearing completion in another one month.

A state sports and youth services department official said the range would have 16 lanes (where 16 people can shoot at a time), which could, however, be extended up to 20.

"It is definitely a great news and a welcome step. I have been a national champion in shooting, and I can say how important this kind of shooting range is for the growth of the sport in Odisha. It should be accessible to all, and we have trainers at the Odisha Rifle Association to guide shooters for the national events," said national-level shooter Kalikesh Singh Deo, who is also the association president.

Association secretary Hari Patnaik said the range would be much beneficial for amateur shooters in the state. "We have also approached the state sports department for managing the range. Though shooting is yet to be popular in Odisha, around 300 amateur shooters take part in the annual state-level competition. Thus the facility would be extremely helpful in promotion of shooting in the state," said Patnaik.

"To ensure that bullets do not fly outside the range, four wooden baffle (protecting) walls have also been made in the range. We have also constructed 22-feet high sidewalls at the range. In the first phase, the range would be used for 50-metre shooting. However, another proposal for 10 and 25-metre shooting range has also been approved," said Barija Mohanty, officer in-charge of Kalinga Sports Complex.

At present, the state has two private shooting ranges for sportsperson in Bhubaneswar with both the ranges being used for 10-metre shooting.

Sources in the sports department said the association would be entrusted with the job of procuring rifles and ammunitions for the range.

The range would have a strong room where bullets would be kept and two separate changing rooms for men and women. The department would also seek assistance from the association for trainers needed for the range. "The fees for membership for the range is under preparation," said an official.

The sports complex, built on an area of 60 acres, is a multipurpose stadium with facilities for hockey, football, swimming, tennis, basketball and athletics. The pink-and-blue hockey turf had hosted matches of Champions Trophy involving eight nations last year, bringing recognition for the complex in the country and abroad as well. The stadium also hosts a number of state and national-level sports tournaments.