Commissioner Secretary Science and Technology (S&T) Department, Saurabh Bhagat today visited the site meant for the establishment of Sub Regional Science Centre at Lal Mandi here.During his visit, he took the stock of the progress achieved for the upcoming science centre at the site.
He was accompanied by Dr. Nasir Shah, Addl Director; Bilal Ahmad, Joint Director S&T Department; Ashiq Hussian Xen R&B and other officers of S&T and R&B departments.During the visit Commissioner Secretary was apprised about the progress of works being undertaken by R&B department, which include the land development of the site and construction of the Museum Building.
During the visit Saurabh Bhagat was briefed about the various sections of approved site plan/drawings and lay out of the upcoming science centre at Srinagar by the officers of S&T band R&B, Kashmir.
He expressed his satisfaction about the progress achieved in respect of the land development and he even lauded the efforts of the officers of science and Technology and R&B in this regard.
He also issued on spot directions to the officers of R&B and JKST&IC for early start of the construction work of the centre, and directed the concerned to speed up the process of construction in view of the short working season / winter, so that the funds earmarked for the purpose are utilized in time.
Pertinent to mention that the timelines for the centre is year 2023-24 and the centre is among the Major flagship projects of the UT of J&K (one of the deliverables of Chief Secretary of UT of J&K), which has even been announced in the Union Budget of 2022.
The upcoming science centre is the first of its kind in the history of UT of J&K and is being established in collaboration of National Council for Science Museums (NCSM) Department of Culture, GoI at the estimated cost of Rs 20 crore.
The centre would have both the Educational as well as Recreational appeal, and will also boost Tourism sector in the UT. Once commissioned, it is expected that the centre would experience a huge footfall of both students and tourists on daily basis, which will be a game changer for the economic upliftment of the UT.