TNN
Mangalore, Sep 28: The much awaited Regional Science Centre (RSC) is finally taking shape at the Pilikula Nisargadhama here and it will be ready by 2010.
J R Lobo, executive director of the Pilikula Nisargadhama Society (PNS) told TOI the work pertaining to gallery and RSC building is in progress and will be completed by December next year.
The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Kolkata, is executing the project at Pilikula. Though initially pegged at Rs 6.5 crore, the project has overrun its initial estimates by 25%. The present cost stands at Rs 8 crore, due to delay in getting the project approved.
While the state government has already released the entire amount of Rs 4 crore, as part of its matching contribution, the Centre has also released Rs 1.5 crore till date to NCSM, said Lobo.
The RSC will be set up in 11 acres of land at the entrance of Pilikula Gate opposite to wildlife section.
"The Pilikula RSC will not be a stand alone Regional Science Centre like other projects. Every RSC has a theme and Pilikula too will have one. We have zeroed in on interactive science gallery, Western Ghats bio-diversity, environment and energy as the themes. A science park and five galleries will be a part of this RSC,'' he said.
The NCSM will not charge any consultation fee and the entire amount will be utilized for the RSC, he added.