Vizag likely to get science city project

Ministry of Culture has expressed its willingness to locate the project in the city, subject to fulfilment of certain norms

After sanction of an international convention centre, Visakhapatnam, may also get the prestigious science city project to make it a premier research hub.

Ministry of Culture has expressed its willingness to locate the project in the city, subject to fulfilment of certain norms. Minister for Culture Chandresh Kumari Katoch, in response to a representation from Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry D. Purandeswari issued orders for expediting the approval and allocation of budget for a regional science centre. The project will need seven acres with an allocation of Rs.14.5 crore to start with.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry last week announced the sanction of international convention centre for the city. It said the Centre would release Rs.20 crore once the State Government produced land allotment letter along with a cheque of Rs.10 crore towards its share.

There is also a proposal to open the campus of Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in the city. IIFT is a Delhi-based deemed university.

Good opportunity

Visakhapatnam International Airport will have 24x7 operations from January 1 after its introduction five days a week from November 1.

The science city, if developed in the city, will provide a wonderful opportunity to local school and college students acquaint themselves with the advances in science and technology and also to showcase their creative skills. It will also help in attracting tourists.

At a meeting held here sometime ago, Visakhapatnam Port Deputy Chairman Satya Kumar had promised to sanction a grant of Rs.1 crore. Sri Prakash School promoter Vasu Prakash said he would raise lot of donation for the project and Vizag Development Council vice-president O. Naresh Kumar announced at that meeting that he would give a Rs.1 lakh as initial contribution and later offer more.

Stating that Hill No. 3 at Rushikonda would be ideal for locating international convention centre, Mr. Naresh Kumar said the science city should be developed at Kapulauppada or Sabbavaram or other suitable place.

While thanking Ms. Purandeshwari for pursuing the demand for the project vigorously with the Ministry fo Centre, Mr. Naresh Kumar hoped that she would use her good offices for expediting sanction of a planetarium, sports complex and campus of IIFT.