Fewer buses keep patronage to Tiruchy Planetarium poor

THE Anna Science Centre Planetarium in the district records low patronage each year as there is hardly any flow of people. Visitors to the planetarium said the district schools should organise regular excursions from the be-ginning of the academic year to whet the scientific curiosity in students. The residents living close to the centre alleged that the number of visitors had dwindled as the city buses did not stop at the Planetarium, forcing the passengers to walk some miles to reach the Science Centre. The Anna Science Centre is on Tiruchy-Pudukkottai road and spread over 10 acres with blooming blossoms, native trees along with the knowledge-building dis-plays inside the Science Centre for making the students curious It offers a package to experience five different facilities including the planetarium shows, 3D theatre show, environment gallery, activity gallery and evolution park. S Krishnamoorthy, a visitor, said "I have been visiting this place twice a year and I see no crowd on weekdays or weekends. But the dismal scene tends to change after November as most of the schools complete their half-yearly portions by then."
He added that there was no continuous flow of visitors as people must stay glued for almost 40 minutes watching the planetarium show. Another visitor said the minimal footfalls was be-cause the shows were scheduled at different times and visitors had to wait until the others left the hall. The planetarium works from 10 am to 5.45 pm, and projects six shows for its visitors. With the planetarium show (night sky show) running almost for 40 minutes, the 3D short films will run for 15 minutes. If the visitors were mostly of children, the 3D movies will be Alibaba and Aladdin.

Source:epaper. newindianexpress. com//c/20822978