It is going to be the biggest jail in the state, with a capacity to house 4,670 inmates, and will have facilities and security arrangements unmatched by any other jail.

Officials said the need for a new jail, which is likely to be completed in March, was felt due to the increasing number of inmates and the limited capacity of the existing jail. At present, 3,200 inmates are lodged in the district jail, which has a capacity of 1,350.

Similarly, the capacity of Nari Bandi Niketan is 90, but 150 inmates are lodged there and the model jail, having a capacity of 400 inmates, houses almost 800.

The new jail will also have an 80-bed hospital, with advanced medical facilities. It will have a sewage system with its own treatment plant, rainwater harvesting and ground water recharge systems.

“The new jail will be equipped with wireless communication, close-circuit television cameras and other advanced security equipment,” said Inspector General (Prisons) Sulkhan Singh.