Uttarakhand to develop new science city

Uttarakhand is planning to set up a science city at the cost of Rs 100 crores. The city is being set up with an aim to develop Uttarakhand as a science state and boost tourism.

The city, to be spread over 50 acres would comprise a planetarium, a science park and other basic facilities, said Uttarakhand Science and Technology Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank at a press conference here today.

The site for the new city is yet to be decided. Nishank said. "We will soon identify a proper place for the new science city," he said.

The city would be developed in three phases and the plans of the first phase have already been worked out, he said.

Scientists in various fields like agriculture, horticulture and herbal sectors would be provided with of state-of-the-art facilities in the proposed city so that they can hone their skills further.

"This science city would also be an important tourist destination in the state," Nishank said.

In order to make science and technology popular among the masses, the government would also set up technology resource centres in all the 13 districts of the state.

An intellectual property rights mission would also be set up to protect the traditional wisdom and new discoveries made in the state.