Science City project in limbo for want of land

Science City project in limbo for want of land
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The ambitious Science City project and Space Museum for India’s Silicon Valley remains a distant dream. The idea may have taken wing but is looking for space to land. Space of 100 acres of land around the city.

Though the government has identified the land near Hesarghatta, the final decision in this regard is yet to be taken. Earlier, the Government had proposed to set up the Science City near Bannerghatta and had earmarked land for it. It later decided to locate it near Hesaraghatta on land meant for a Film City.

Following this, the Science and Technology Department had sent a proposal to the Karnataka Film Development Board asking it to hand over the land. Since the board is on the verge of closure, it is left for the Government to take a decision in this regard.

Information Technology & Biotech Secretary Shankaralinge Gowda said once the land is given, the Science City project would take off.

It would be a joint venture between the centre and state governments costing Rs. 70 crore. The project envisages an exhibition of latest developments in science and technology, he said.

Of the Rs. 70 crore, the centre will contribute 13 percent of the project cost. For 2003-04, Rs. 10 lakh has been earmarked. The department has sent a proposal to the Information Department for the land, he added.

When contacted, Kanteerava Studios managing director N.R. Vishukumar said the Karnataka Film Development Board had shut down and the land sanctioned for Film City had been returned to the government. Now, it is left to the government to sanction the land to the Science and Technology Department, he added.