Mangaluru : Planning, Statistics and Science and Technology Minister M R Seetharam said Swami Vivekananda 3D Planetarium at Dr Shivaram Karanth Biological Park in Pilikula to complete its construction work this year end. The department of science and technology is keen on developing Pilikula Nisargadhama on the lines of Sentosa Island, Singapore. he said

The initiative is to promote ‘Tourism through Science’ and ‘Science through Tourism.’

The minister was addressing reporters at the deputy commissioner’s office after visiting Pilikula Nisargadhama and reviewing the construction work of the 3D planetarium on Monday.

The planetarium project cost has been revised to Rs 35.75 crore. The work was started in 2009-10. “It will be the first 3D hybrid planetarium in the country and 21st of its kind in the world,” he said.

The minister said has directed the officials and the contractors to complete work on time. The building has been constructed and ticket counter, exhibition centre, seats, air conditioning of the dooms and other works too have been completed. Equipment for the planetarium are being imported from the United States, he added.

Science and technology department director Dr H Honnegowda said the government will grant an annual maintenance cost of Rs 1.5 crore to the planetarium. There is a five-year warranty for the equipment. Five technical experts are science centre to look into the maintenance, he added.

He said the project will be completed by this year and added that he will conduct another review meeting in September.

The works on planetarium have also been started in Madikeri, Bagalkot, Vijayapura and Hubballi. Kodagu has been sanctioned a mini planetarium with a science centre. A proposal has been placed for a planetarium in Gadag and the work will be initiated next year, he stated.

Additional deputy commissioner Kumar, Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo, Mangaluru North MLA B A Mohiyuddin Bava and Coastal Development Authority chairperson Sharada Mohan Shetty were present at the meeting.