Advani to inaugurate science-city on may 30

The foundation stone for the state’s first Science City project, which will be located at Hebatpur village on Sarkhej, will be laid by Union Home Minister L.K. Advani on May 30. The project is to be completed in phases and the first phase is likely to be over by January 2002.

Giving the details about the Science City, chief minister Keshubhai Patel said that the project was aimed at increasing the interest of the people in science. Located on the Gandhinagar national highway, the city will be located in a sprawling 500 acres of land.

The major attractions in the first phase are to be India’s first large format 3 D I-Max theatre. Series of twenty theme theatres like universe, evolution, earth, environment, ecology, health, bio-technology, physics, chemistry and defense will be put up.

It will also include a Nature Park, theme theatre, floating restaurant, jet fountain and virtual reality theatre. There will be three levels of open spaces-open spaces in and around individual pavilions, open spaces in and around the clusters and the central open space.

A demonstration working port will also be available. The pavilions in the city will be a unique concept where the visitors will not only be able to touch and feel the exhibit but also apply his or her mind in understanding the complex science phenomenon in a simple manner.

The experimentation and ideas advocated by the Nehru foundation and at display at Vikram Sarabhai Science Centre will be at display here. The visitors will therefore be able to understand the principles of science and also the applications of the principles in the technology.

The underlying vision for creating the science city is to facilitate "Edutainment" i.e. the "learn with fun" concept. The city is targeted to increase the scientific temperament from the city The city is expected to attract more that 10,000 people per year but the state government has not thought out any entrance fee structure for the same.

Minister of state for Information and Technology, Bimal Jalan said that the main attraction at the foundation laying ceremony would be capsule of simulator rides, planetarium, areo-modeling show, electronic havan kund and rocket show launching.

The work on the Ampitheatre and the water kund is near completion and the Tata Solar BP streetlights have been installed. The project report was prepared in consultation with Gujarat Council of Science City and Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology.
The concept of the project was developed by Tata Consultancy Services in association with eminent scientists like Dr Jayant Narlikar, Dr Saroj Ghosh and Mr Nansi Staber conceive the project.

Republished from Asian Age