Civic body revives plan to set up science park
The proposal comes years after a similar botched project at the same site. Though a few equipment were installed then at the ground for a science park, in association with a private agency, the Corporation abandoned the plan later without giving any reason.
Subsequently, former Mayor Sarubala R.Tondaiman had mooted the establishment of a water theme park at the site, which too failed to take off. The latest proposal comes amidst initiatives being made by the corporation to develop the city parks and attract private participation to maintain them.
Mayor A.Jaya had also inspected the site for the science park recently.
According to sources, estimates have been prepared for establishing the science park in an area of about 2.65 acres at the corporation grounds at an investment of Rs.2.50 crore.
Apart from scientific equipment, the science park would have landscaped garden, artificial fountains, children's play area with amusement equipment, and a canteen.
The proposal was recently cleared by the corporation council and sent for administrative approval to the Commissioner of Municipal Administration.
Though the corporation has drawn up the plans, it has still not decided on the funding for the project. The civic body has planned to seek funding from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning. However, it is still not clear whether the directorate would fully fund the project. In a recent communication, the directorate had expressed willingness to provide up to Rs.1 crore to the corporation this year for park development and traffic management initiatives in the city.
Nevertheless, officials told The Hindu that even if the funds from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning did not come, the project could be taken up under the phase-II of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. The project, they said, could be funded under the head of environmental improvement.
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