SDMC’S 3D theatre-museum may finally get equipment by March ’19
NEWDELHI: The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has initiated the process for procuring equipment to start its first 3D theatre-cum-museum at Tagore Nagar that has been lying idle since its inauguration two years ago.
Constructed at a cost of ₹3.3 crore and spread over 1,210 square metres, the museum was supposed to have a 3D theatre, a science and computer library, scientific exhibits, interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities. But in the absence of technical skills, expertise and funds, the civic agency could not implement the project to date and the building remained vacant, unused and locked from outside.
The civic agency hired a consultant in July to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) to conceptualise the plan for the museum and arrange funds through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, SDMC’S education department chairperson Nandini Sharma said.
“As soon as the report is finalised, we will initiate work on the project,” Sharma said. “The tentative cost of the project was ₹18 crore. But due to non-transfer of funds from the Delhi government under the plan head, we could not implement it. The SDMC officials later pursued the National Science Centre and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to fund the project but these agencies agreed to provide only technical assistance,” said a senior official of the education department. “Later, SDMC planned to do up the museumwith Csrmoney. But no company came forward. Finally, we decided to hire a consultant that will popularise the project and arrange funds under CSR programmes,” the official said.
The three-storey building was inaugurated in a hurry before the March 2017 municipal elections, without any equipment and furniture. “We are working seriously to complete the project by March 2019. The centre will become a hub for scientific activities,” SDMC officials said.
NIRBHAYA MUSEUM
The SDMC also plans to upgrade the Nirbhaya museum at RK Puram, named in the honour of the December 16 braveheart. “We have been organising scientific workshops, discussions on teaching learning material and organised competitions but there is a dire need to upgrade facilities and add new equipment. In 2013, ₹13 crore was alloted for upgrade but it could not be implemented,” a senior official said.