Lok Sabha Question No. 122 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-14
Subject: Set-up of Sub-Regional Science Centre atRajamundry
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Margani Bharat, Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.122

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.09.2020

## SET-UP OF SUB-REGIONAL SCIENCE CENTRE AT RAJAMUNDRY

## 122.      SHRI MARGANI BHARAT :

## Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state

- (a) whether it is true that the Ministry has decided to set up Sub-Regional Science Centre at Rajahmundry with an estimated cost of Rs. 15.00 crores;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with its aims and objectives and other details of the project; and
- (c) the status of the project and the time by which it is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR CULTURE & TOURISM

## (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

- (a) Yes Sir.
- (b)        A  Sub-Regional  Science  Centre  (Category-II)  is  being  set  up  at  Rajahmundry  at  an estimated  cost  of  Rs.15.20  crores  (Capital  cost  Rs.11.70  crores  and  Corpus  fund Rs.3.50  crores)  on  a  plot  of  land  measuring  5.42  acres  at  Mahila  Praganan  site  at Dowlaiswaram  Village under Bommuru Gram Panchayat, Rajahmundry allotted by State Govt. of Andhra Pradesh.

The total capital cost of Rs.11.70 crores is being shared by the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of  India  and  Govt.  of  Andhra  Pradesh  in  50:50  ratio  and  the  corpus  fund  of  Rs.3.50 crores  is  being  shared  by  the  Ministry  of  Culture,  Govt.  of  India  and  Govt.  of  Andhra Pradesh in 20:80 ratio as per Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science.

Aims  and  Objectives  of  the  Science  Centre(Category-II)  project  at  Rajahmundry are as follows:

-  To  portray  the  growth  of  science  and  technology  and  their  application  in industry and human welfare, with a view to develop scientific attitude and

temper and to create, inculcate and sustain a general awareness amongst the people;

-  To  create  awareness  &  enhance  public  understanding,  appreciation  & engagement of ;
-  To popularise science and technology for the benefit of students and for the common  man  of  the  region  by  organising  exhibitions,  seminars,  popular lectures, science camps and various other programmes;
-  To supplement science education given in schools and colleges and to organise various out-of-school educational activities to foster a spirit of scientific inquiry and creativity among the students;
-  To design, develop and fabricate science museum exhibits, demonstration equipment and scientific teaching aids for science education and popularisation of science;
-  To  organise  training  programmes  for  science  teachers/students/young entrepreneurs/ technicians/physically challenged/housewives and others on specific subjects of science, technology and industry.

## Project details:-

The building will have a covered area of 2000 Sq. mtrs. (approx.) of which 1000 sq. mtrs. will be used  as  exhibit  display  halls,  300  sq.  mtrs.  for  temporary  exhibition  area,  700  sq.  mtrs.  as visitors' activities area, exhibit development laboratory, office, auditorium, taramandal (inflatable dome  planetarium),  children  activity  area,  stores,  conference  room/library  and  adult  activity area, visitors' amenities etc.

Generally, the following galleries and facilities are installed in a Science Centre.

## Permanent Galleries:-

## Thematic Gallery

The main gallery of the centre will be on a theme of scientific importance as well as of social relevance  such  as  Environment,  Forest,  Mountain,  Natural  resources,  Indigenous  technology highlighting the local resources and their apt utilization. The exhibits will be mostly interactive and supplemented with visuals, illustrations and artifacts.

## Fun Science

A  Group  of  interactive  exhibits  on  physical  science,  mathematics,  geography,  geology, electronics, life science, chemistry, computer science and information technology will form this gallery.  The  exhibits  will  be  providing  curriculum  support  to  the  students  as  well  as  make science learning a fun to the visitors.

## Outdoor Science Park:-

Science brought outside the boundary of four walls. Interactive exhibits placed aesthetically in the  lush  greenery  of  the  park.  Children  play  with  them  while  they  learn  the  fundamental  of science. Water body, aviary, herbal and medicinal plant corner, picnic areas for visitors  etc. are added attractions.

## Taramandal:

The  inflatable  dome  planetarium  can  provide  an  excellent  way  of  interactive  learning  of astronomy. The programme will be held regularly at the centre.

## Exhibit Development Laboratory

This will  be  used for  regular maintenance of exhibits and development of exhibits and kits in future.

## Other facilities:-

Temporary exhibition hall, science library, conference room, office, store etc.

## Educational & Training Programmes:-

The centre will hold regular educational programmes like science demonstration lecture, popular lecture,  creative  ability  programme,  sky  observation  through  telescope,  computer  awareness programmes, science quiz, science seminars and science fairs, teacher's training programme, community  awareness  programme,  anti-superstition  programme,  science  film  show  etc.  for students, teachers and common people. A training hall and an auditorium will be used for these purposes.  There  will  be  a  science  curriculum  based  activity  corner/innovation  corner  where students  will  learn  the  basic  principles  of  science  through  experimentation  in  science  and fabrication  of  science  models,  which  can  be  used  as  teaching  aids.  This  will  supplement  the formal science education imparted in the schools. The innovation corner will help in nurturing innovation, creativity in the young minds. There will also be a children's activity corner.

## Innovation Hub:-

This will be used for innovative experiments (tod-fod-jod), thematic projects and science activity camps for students.

(c)            Construction  of  the  building  of  Sub  Regional  Science Centre, Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh  is  presently  going  on.  After  completion  of  Sub-structure  work  upto  plinth  level, construction work in superstructure above the plinth and 1 st floor casting of the building are in progress. The project is likely to be completed during Financial Year 2021-2022.

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