Sambalpur, Feb. 13: Decorative lights will adorn the campus of the Gangadhar Meher University campus here shortly.

"Around Rs 16.59 lakh will be spent on the project, the funds for which were provided by the Western Odisha Development Council (WODC)," said U.C. Pati, the deputy registrar of the varsity.

"The general electrical department will shortly float the tender for the installation of the lights," said Pati.

Ten decorative lights will be installed on the road median, which leads to the college from the main gate of the institution.

High-mast light posts will also be installed on the campus to illuminate the varsity ground. Pati also said the university will become a Wi-Fi zone by March.

"Rs 20 lakh has already been sanctioned for the project. The tender for the work has already been finalised and work in this regard will begin at the earliest," Pati said.

The deputy registrar also said the varsity authorities would move the state sports department for construction of a mini stadium on the premises.

"We have started preparing the proposal in this regard," said Pati.

Established in 1944, Gangadhar Meher College was given university status on May 30 last year. The institution offers undergraduate, postgraduate, MPhil and pre-doctoral courses. It also provides self-financing and vocational courses.

There are 18 undergraduate courses, 23 postgraduate courses, three pre-doctoral courses, five self-financing courses and three vocational courses that are offered by the university.

The student strength of the varsity is around 5,300.

The students of the institution have welcomed the illumination project. They had been demanding adequate lights on the campus for a long time.

"Due to the absence of adequate lights, goons take advantage of the darkness and gather on the campus in the evening, which makes the students feel unsecure. We hope this problem is solved once the lights are in place," said Ipsita Pattnaik, a student.