Bolangir: A science centre and a planetarium will be constructed at Suryanagar near Talpali locality in Bolangir town, Science and Technology Minister Ashok Chandra Panda stated Thursday.
The planetarium will be built at a cost of Rs 21 crore and will be completed within a period of 30 months, the minister added. The structure will come up on an area of 10 acre, Panda informed after a visit to the site.
The minister informed that the science centre will have an outdoor park displaying concept models of various scientific innovations and other exhibits. The centre will also have digital and physical interactive models on physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics for children.
This apart the planetarium will conduct shows on various thematic areas of the universe, evolution and space expedition. Panda added that the establishment of the centre will help to inculcate the inquisitive minds of the students and help them prosper.
Earlier, the Odisha Government had decided to set up six more planetariums and 30 science centres in the state in addition to the existing ones.
At present two planetariums are operational in the State capital and Sambalpur while the foundation stone for another one was laid in March this year by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Rayagada.
Sources said that Rs 100 crore will be spent on building the new planetariums and district science centres.
After remaining out of bounds for visitors for approximately three months due to the second wave of the Covid-19 in the state, the Pathani Samanta Planetarium in this city and the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Planetarium in Sambalpur’s Burla had reopened August 10.
Visitors to the centres however, are only being allowed entry after they show double vaccination certificates.
PNN