Special Correspondent
Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation’s planetarium, built at a cost of Rs. 2 crore, is preparing to reopen after being closed for the past four years due to inadequate maintenance and repairs. A proposal to appoint an institution to manage the restoration has been approved by the standing committee, clearing the way for the planetarium’s revival.
Located at the E-Learning School in Sahayak Nagar, the planetarium was initially established with the goal of providing school students with an engaging and simple way to learn about space, planets, stars, and the universe. Unfortunately, the facility was shut down due to neglect and lack of proper upkeep. In response to ongoing public demand, the Pune Municipal Corporation has decided to allocate Rs. 61.65 lakh for the planetarium’s restoration over the next five years. An institution has been assigned the task of restarting the planetarium and developing educational content for visitors.
The planetarium is equipped with a sophisticated setup, including a server and software from ‘Fulldome Pro.’ However, it had been out of operation due to outdated technology and lack of maintenance. Now, the company behind the original setup will create 27 new shows in Marathi, Hindi, and English. The estimated cost for reopening the planetarium is Rs. 33 lakh, with an additional Rs. 6.96 lakh for necessary repairs and ongoing maintenance over the next four years. Senior municipal corporation officials have confirmed that the planetarium is expected to reopen during the upcoming summer holidays.
The facility was closed following the COVID-19 lockdown, and since then, there has been an increasing demand for its reopening. In response, the municipal corporation contacted the original company behind the planetarium to facilitate its revival. The company will carry out equipment checks, update the software and hardware, create new shows, and oversee the maintenance of the facility moving forward.
