Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology N.S. Boseraju laid the foundation stone for a sub-regional science centre and mini planetarium at Hidkal dam in Belagavi district on Monday.
It will be part of the Raja Lakhamagouda Udyana Kashi Development Project estimated to cost ₹13 crore. This is part of a government project to set up such centres in all districts aimed at promoting science and technology education in rural areas.
Karnataka Niravari Nigam Limited has allocated five acres of land for the sub-regional science centre and mini planetarium.
The project will be taken up by the departments of Science and Technology and Irrigation together.
It will include a fun science gallery, two thematic science galleries, a 150-seat auditorium and a computer room designed to promote interactive learning for students.
The mini planetarium will feature a 10 m dome with a seating capacity of 60. It will be fitted with a 3D projector.
Tenders have been finalised and work is expected to start soon.
The Minister said that similar institutions will be set up in eight-nine districts this year.
The largest planetarium in the country has been established in Pilikula near Mangaluru on 350 acres of land.
A hi-tech science gallery being set up in Hebbal will be one of the biggest in Asia. The government plans to distribute telescopes and set up laboratories for 833 residential schools in the State, Mr. Bose Raju said.
District in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi said that the science centre will form a part of students tourism circuit, including Hidkal dam, Gokak Falls and the Rani Channamma Zoo in Belagavi district. He said that the government is planning to take up water sports in the backwaters of Hidkal dam.
Hukkeri MLA Nikhil Katti said that various development works worth ₹30 crore are under way in Hukkeri taluk. They include 35 minor irrigation tanks, drip irrigation projects and 19 lake-filling projects.
Tahsildar Manjula Nayak, KNNL Chief Engineer B.R. Rathod, Urban Development Cell Project Director Mallikarjun Kaladagi, Irrigation Department officials and others were present.
Published – January 22, 2025 08:21 pm IST
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