Sambalpur, Jan. 23: The Western Odisha Freedom Fighters Memorial Hall and Museum at Gourisankar Sahani Park here will open this year. Rs 70 lakh has been sanctioned for the purpose.

The building of the memorial hall and museum at the park, which is located along Ring Road and spread over 1.28 acres, has already been built. The building has been constructed over 6,000sqft in the park at an estimated cost of Rs 1.05 crore.

A 20-feet high pillar in the memory of the martyrs has also been built in front of the two-storey building. The public works department executed the construction.

District collector Samarth Verma said: "The building is ready. However, we plan to make the museum functional after carrying out some interior designing work. The fund for this purpose has already been sanctioned. The tender for the job will be floated after the model code of conduct ceases to be in place."

"The items used by freedom fighters will be showcased at the museum," added Verma.

Sambalpur is home to freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai, who had launched a rebellion against the British government. A museum dedicated to freedom fighters and freedom struggle is a long-pending demand of the people here. "We are waiting for the Freedom Fighters Memorial Hall and Museum at Gorisankar Sahani Park to open," said a student, Sumit Patel.

"The new generation will come to know about the freedom fighters and their sacrifices once the museum opens," said Prafulla Baxi, a senior citizen.