Bengaluru planetarium gets Rs 12-crore makeover

Bengaluru, May 16 : The Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in the city is being upgraded at a cost of Rs.12 crore with equipment imported from Germany.

However, the renovation, which began in March and is set to last five more months, has not just led to revenue loss but has also caused disappointment among school children who like to come here during the summer holidays.

Usually, the planetarium sees footfall of 1,800 to 2,000 each day at this time of the year when schools have summer holidays (April-June) and parents like to bring their wards along.

With tickets priced at Rs.35 for adults and Rs.20 for children, the facility is losing Rs.12.5 lakh a month due to the temporary closure.

Moreover, it will take five more months for the renovated sky theatre to be thrown open to the public.

This time, visitors are returning disappointed after reading the notice at the entrance that the shows have been cancelled for the period of renovation.

Planetarium Director B.S. Shylaja said: "The public usually visit the planetarium in huge numbers during these months. Since children have holidays, parents make a beeline for buying tickets for the sky theatre shows."

The 200-seat facility is being upgraded to give the visitors a better audio-visual experience. The new system gives viewers an "immersing effect", Shylaja said.

The previous circular seating facility will be changed to give it a theatre-like experience. Funds for the renovation have been provided by the state Department of Science and Technology.

IANS