In a significant development, the Union Ministry of Culture has sanctioned a generous grant of Rs 36 crore for the establishment of Thematic Galleries and Planetarium at the Science City located on the outskirts of Agartala, the capital of Tripura.
The funding falls under the ‘Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPOCS),’ a unique initiative designed to foster scientific culture across the nation.
The Union Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), G. Kishan Reddy, conveyed this exciting news in a letter addressed to Union Minister of State for Social Justice, Pratima Bhowmik.
The unique ‘Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPOCS)’ operates based on requests from various st
ate governments and Union Territories. It aims to establish science cities, centres, digital planetariums, and innovation hubs in science centres through joint funding from the Government of India and the respective states and UTs.
As per Reddy’s communication, the sanctioned funds will contribute to the development of Thematic Galleries and Planetarium in Agartala, Tripura, under the SPOCS scheme. The total estimated cost for this project is Rs 40 crore, with the central government’s share amounting to Rs 36 crore and the state’s contribution being Rs 4 crore.
The chosen site for this scientific venture is the sprawling Science City located at Badharghat, spanning an impressive 12.83 acres of land on the outskirts of Agartala.
To ensure the success of this endeavour, the Kolkata-based National Council for Science Museum has been entrusted with the responsibility of developing the proposed thematic galleries.
As the project unfolds, it is expected to become a hub for learning and exploration, inspiring the next generation to engage with the wonders of science.
This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to promoting scientific awareness and education, providing the citizens of Tripura with a state-of-the-art facility that will contribute to the advancement of science and technology in the region.
