Taking the proposal on setting up a Science City a step further, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) would start the process of appointing consultants for the project. A Request for Proposal (RFP) to the effect is slated to be issued next week.
For the project estimated to cost around Rs.100 crore and spread over 25 acres to 30 acres, even the site would be suggested by the consultants once they are appointed. “The site will be in the land available with us and the consultant will narrow down on the most suitable ones for the project,” an official said.
Details pertaining to the RFP documents were being finalised and arrangements made to float the same next week inviting bids.
The project would be taken up as part of the Ministry of Culture initiative aimed at promoting science cities in the State capitals and other major cities with sizeable population of not less than 50 lakhs.
According to census carried out in the year 2011, the population in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation is 68 lakhs.
Concept
The concept of Science City has been envisaged to enhance public understanding of the culture of science and technology and apart from students, benefit common man also through exhibitions, seminars, popular lectures, science camps and other related activities.
It incorporates exposition halls to showcase concepts such as Time Machine, Future Cities, 4D Animation apart from offering exposure on science related to natural disasters, earthquakes, Tsunami, volcano eruption, breaking of glaciers, global warming and climate change. The complex would also have multi-purpose auditorium, open and outdoor science parks.
The development of a typical Science City design has been estimated to cost around Rs.100 crore and proposed to be taken up under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) mode.
