PRAYAGRAJ, Oct. 28 -- Prayagraj is set to welcome a state-of-the-art, 300-seat, hi-tech library from the next financial year, as part of the Smart City Mission. With a budget of approximately Rs 7 crore, construction has begun in the Civil Lines area, near the Hanuman Temple crossing. The upcoming facility is poised to be one of the largest government-run hi-tech libraries in Uttar Pradesh. Designed to cater to students and aspirants preparing for competitive examinations, the library will offer a modern and conducive learning environment. The three-storey structure will house a range of amenities including a food court, dedicated parking space, clean drinking water, and sensor-based smart toilets-ensuring comfort and convenience for users. Officials associated with the project said the initiative aligns with Prayagraj's identity as a city of learning and aims to support the academic aspirations of its youth. Once built, the facility will accommodate 300 computers equipped with Wi-Fi and digital storage systems. In addition to online resources, the library will feature offline study cubicles, central air conditioning-creating a modern and comfortable learning environment for students and competitive exam aspirants. According to the IT manager for the Smart City Initiative in Prayagraj, Mani Shanker Tripathi, the scale of this upcoming government-run facility is probably one of the biggest in the state so far. The building construction work is in full swing and is expected to be completed by the end of this financial year, he added. Tripathi further revealed that the library will operate under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, generating revenue for the government. "The standard operating procedure (SOP) for the digital library is being framed. Students will be charged by the hour, with fees payable to the library operator," he added. The facility will be equipped with a state-of-the-art IT setup, including a dedicated server, firewall protection, CCTV surveillance, and an AI-based integrated building management system. This system will be capable of detecting and raising automated alerts for electrical short circuits, water leakage, fire, or any other untoward incidents. "This facility will certainly give a boost to students and aspirants of competitive examinations for shaping their future," Tripathi said....