The work on the first phase of the proposed Science City at Kottayam will start from next month, with the State Government releasing a sum of Rs 7.25 crore and an equal amount being allotted by the Centre.
The land for the project from the three identified sites will be finalised at a meeting scheduled on February 20.
National Council for Science Museum (NCSM) will implement the project for the state and the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum (KSSTM) will be assisting the project which is envisaged to be one of the largest Science City in Asia. The total expenditure for the project to be completed in four phases is estimated to be Rs 100 crore. ‘’We will be able to zero in on a location in two weeks’ time as the amount of Rs 14.5 crore for the first phase of the project has been released. The Central Government will implement the project and will hand it over to State Government,’’ Arun Gerald Prakash, Director, Kerala State Science and Technology Museum, told ‘Express’.
Once implemented, the project in Kottayam would be the fourth of its kind in India, following the ones in Kolkata, Jalandhar and Ahmedabad. He said the first phase would have three mega science galleries, science park, open air auditorium and planetarium.
‘’The second phase will have mega planetarium, laser shows, motion stimulator, conference and seminar halls,’’ he said.
Prakash said that the Science City complex in Kottayam would also have all that the Kolkata Science Centre complex boasts of. ‘’We are envisaging the project to be larger than that of Kolkata and Singapore Science City as Kerala is a literate state with higher number of science graduates. The idea is to make science reach the common man and make it exciting. A total of eight thematic galleries that includes robotics, astronomy, aerospace, oceanography and a water theme science park is also planned,’’ he said.
Like any other Science Parks, the Science City will have a host of interactive exhibits on science and technology for both education and entertainment purposes for the visitors.
The Kolkata Science Centre complex which is now the largest in the country comprises Space Odyssey, Dynamotion, Evolution Theme Park, Maritime Centre and a Science Park. The Space Odyssey houses India’s first Large Format Film Theatre, Time Machine, 3-D Vision Theatre, Mirror Magic and exhibits on space science, motion, electricity and virtual reality. The Dynamotion Hall has a Butterfly Corner, Aquaria, an exposition on giant robotic insects.