Light & Sound show at Planetarium lying defunct in Odisha capital

Bhubaneswar: While Odisha government is expediting campaign for boosting tourism, the much attractive Water, Light and Sound show at Pathani Samanta Planetarium is lying defunct here in the past three years.

Neither have there been efforts by the Science & Technology department, nor the planetarium officials showed any interest to revive the programme that was attracting the visitors years ago.

With the shutdown of the project, the planetarium is losing its significance in the tourism map of Odisha capital.

The Light and Sound show was flagged off by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at premises of Pathani Samanta Planetarium in May 2006.

It was the first light and sound show of the State showcasing life story of great Kalinga king Mahameghavahana Aira Kharavela, penned by veteran playwright Bijay Mishra. The 50-min programme was given the thumb up by the tourists for its presentation style and script. Actor Kuna Tripathy had lent his voice in the story, directed by late Ollywood director Asim Basu.

However, the Rs 70 lakh-project was damaged partially in 2013 disastrous cyclone Phailin. Subsequently, the concerned authority did not make any effort to make everything in order. The remaining portion of the project later started ruining due to lack of maintenance.

Again, the government decided to revive the project post Phailin. Despite fund allocation, the renovation work was halted midway.

The planetarium authority has no answer when the project will be revived.

“The renovation process is underway. The file has been sent to the concerned department’s secretary. But, we do not know when the file will be sent back and project work will restart,” Planetarium Director Kailash Chandra Sahoo said.