The much-delayed project of erecting a planetarium at Chiroundi has received a new ray of hope. Chief Minister Hemant Soren laid foundation stone for the construction of planetarium on Friday.
On the occasion Soren addressing the media said, “It is like dream coming true. Construction of planetarium will prove beneficial in boosting the interest of the state capital students in the direction of science and technology. The upcoming planetarium will be recognised as one of the best planetarium of our country and the State Government will leave no stone unturned to accomplish the project within stipulated time frame.”
He further added that it is a pleasant co-incidence that on the occasion of Science Day the science center phase-II projects commence. The planetarium will be built on 13 acres land at Chiroundi which presently houses the 4,200 sqm Regional Science Centre, Ranchi. The estimated cost of the project is Rs27 crore.
The proposal for a planetarium was first mooted in 2002 by then science and Technology Minister Samresh Singh, but was taken up seriously only when the Regional Science Centre was set up. Tender for the search of suitable bidder was floated by the concerned department officials but the plan got stuck due to lackadaisical approach of the government machinery and bureaucratic red tapism.
State Science and Technology Secretary AK Pandey who was also present on the occasion throwing light on the project comment, “The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous organisation under the Union ministry of culture, will build the planetarium. The NCSM also developed the existing Regional Science Centre which features- galleries of 3D interactive exhibits, animations, models, replicas, computer-based quiz, simulacra of a coal mine and a forest, inflatable dome planetarium, auditorium, conference room-cum-library, children’s activity area and science demonstration corner.”
He further added that the planetarium will inform the people about the universe in a unique way. The planetarium will have the capacity of placing 150-160 people at a time. As many as five shows in a day will be showcased in the planetarium.