Mangalore to become first Indian city with 3D planetarium

Mangalore to become first Indian city with 3D planetarium

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 8, 2012: Sadananda Gowda’s government has approved the proposal to build a 3D planetarium in Mangalore, which will make Mangalore the first Indian city with a planetarium like those found in international tourist hotspots such as Hong Kong. 

The 3D planetarium is the brainchild of MLA Yogish Bhat, deputy speaker of the state legislative assembly, and it is proposed to be constructed at Pilikula Nisargadhama’s Regional Science Centre in Moodushedde. 

While it was former CM B. S. Yeddyurappa who earmarked Rs. 11 crore for this project, it was Yogish Bhat who took the project forward with the assistance of Information Technology Principal Secretary Vidyashanker. 

Mr. Yogish Bhat said that, now that the state cabinet has approved the project, tenders will be called for the same. The proposed planetarium will be 18m in diameter, just like the planetariums in Macau and Hong Kong, he said, adding that students and tourists will be attracted to it. It was be called Swami Vivekananda Planetarium in honor of the saint on the occasion of his 150th birthday. 

The project will cost a total of Rs. 24.50 and will require an extra Rs. 13.50 as Rs. 11 crore has already been earmarked for it. Thanking former CM B. S. Yeddyurappa and present CM D. V. Sadananda Gowda, Mr. Bhat said that the software and technology will be imported. He also stated that the planetarium will be finally constructed thanks to his own determination and the hard work of Vidyashankar.