An artificial climbing wall in Bolpur and (below) a woman climbs a natural rock face

The authorities of Jadavpur University have decided to build an artificial climbing wall on the main campus to promote adventure sports among students.

The construction of the climbing wall, as part of the University Grants Commission (UGC)’s mission to promote adventure sports, will begin next month. The monitoring and funding agency for universities has sanctioned Rs 13 lakh for the project.

“We have approved the project. The funds would be provided under the UGC’s XIth plan scheme. The wall shall serve to train JU students the basics of rock climbing and mountaineering,” said Pradip Narayan Ghosh, the vice-chancellor of the university.

The structure is expected to be 15m high with two faces — one for speed climbing and the other for difficulty climbing.

Difficulty climbing tests only the skill of the climber, while the pace of a climb is considered in speed climbing.

“We have selected the site where the wall would come up — near the kho-kho court, adjacent to the sports arena. Once the wall is constructed, the university’s renowned students club, Jadavpur University Mountaineering and Hiking Club, can organise national and international rock climbing contests,” said Bappaditya Mallik, the director of youth welfare at the university.

The wall will be modelled on the artificial wall at Salt Lake stadium, he added.

The news of the project has brought much joy to climbing enthusiasts on campus.

“It is impossible for those of us studying on the main campus to go all the way to Salt Lake stadium for training. The timings are also inconvenient. A wall on the campus is much more accessible,” said Arunopal Sil, a member of the university’s students’ climbing club.