Bhubaneswar, May 4: Preparations are on in full swing at Kalinga Stadium, which will host the Asian Athletics Championship from July 6 to 9.

Officials of the state sports department are hopeful of completing all construction by the end of June for the international event.

A visit to the stadium revealed the fast process of work.

While the bitumen foundation for relaying of the synthetic athletic track at the main stadium has almost been completed, the authorities have also expedited the construction of tracks for events such as long jump and high jump.

The renovation of stands and several rooms for official use have also been completed. The outer walls are being painted. The beautification work around the stadium is also being carried out.

More than 700 athletes from 45 countries will match their skills in 42 events (21 for men and 21 for women).

The winners will directly qualify for the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in London, to be held from August 4 to 13.

The event is being hosted by India for the third time. While Delhi had hosted the event in 1989, Pune had got the opportunity to stage the tournament in 2013.

The foundation for floodlight towers will be ready in a couple of days. "Once the foundation work is completed, poles will be fixed along with bulbs which will take less time. The installation of floodlights will be completed by the first week of June," said Barija Mohanty, officer in-charge of Kalinga Sports Complex .

However, officials of the sports department said the construction and renovation work was being hampered because of extreme weather conditions.

"The workers have been instructed not to work in the afternoon when the temperature is at its peak. We have also asked the workers to compensate their work during the evening hours," said a sports department official.

Earlier the state government had estimated Rs 43 crore to be spent for the tournament, which includes construction and renovation.

Sports department officials said more than 800 rooms in 21 hotels in the city would be reserved for players, sports administrators, coaches and officials while the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation has been assigned with the task of transportation of athletes and other officials.