Renovation and Upgradation of Patna Planetarium Inspected by BCD Secretary

Patna: Kumar Ravi, Patna divisional commissioner and Secretary of the Building Construction Department conducted an extensive inspection of the Indira Gandhi Science Complex, commonly known as Patna Planetarium on Wednesday.

During the inspection, Ravi meticulously reviewed the progress of renovation and upgradation works at the complex, encompassing various facilities such as the Planetarium, Bihar Remote Sensing Application Centre, Auditorium, Cafeteria, Lounge, Exhibition Gallery, and G.I.S. Laboratory, among others.

The renovation and upgradation endeavors at the Indira Gandhi Science Complex are being spearheaded by the Building Construction Department under the aegis of the Department of Science, Technology, and Technical Education, with the project nearing its completion stage. Commissioner Ravi issued directives to expedite the remaining tasks to ensure timely completion.

The ongoing project entails a retrofitting of the old building structure amounting to approximately Rs 2.16 crore, while the renovation and upgradation of the main Planetarium building are estimated at Rs 24.91 crore.

Significant enhancements have been made to the infrastructure, including the construction of a modern auditorium, cafeteria, lounge for VIPs, and the installation of state-of-the-art facilities on various floors of the building, such as conference rooms, exhibition galleries, and a 200-seat planetarium.

Interior beautification efforts encompass Italian marble flooring, drywall cladding, SS railing, granite flooring, and comprehensive air conditioning through a VRF system. The exterior aesthetics have been enhanced with steel facade, travertine stone, granite stone, and structural glazing.

Additionally, the boundary wall and gate of the complex have been upgraded, landscaping works are underway, and a modern guest house has been constructed within the planetarium complex.

Shri Ravi emphasized the government’s commitment to providing world-class facilities at the planetarium, catering to the needs of children, students, researchers, and enthusiasts of space science.

He reiterated the government’s dedication to implementing developmental and welfare schemes with the highest standards of environmental management and sustainable development, utilizing green technology wherever possible.

The inspection was attended by officials including Joint Secretary Rajesh Kumar, Deputy Director Lokesh Kumar Jha, Superintending Engineer Pawan Kumar, Executive Engineer Abhay Kumar, and other engineers, reflecting a concerted effort towards achieving excellence in infrastructure development.