₹65 Cr Makeover: CM Yogi to Inaugurate Gorakhpur Planetarium & Science Park This November
Preparations have reached peak momentum in Eastern Uttar Pradesh as the extensive restoration of the Veer Bahadur Singh Planetarium and the construction of the adjacent Mahant Avedyanath Knowledge-Science Park reach completion. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to formally inaugurate the cutting-edge scientific complex during the first week of November. Marking the grand opening ceremony, the Chief Minister will personally attend the inaugural celestial show inside the modernized digital dome, officially opening Eastern UP's premier hub for astronomy, space exploration, and interactive STEM education to students and visitors.
High-Level Site Inspection by Science & Technology Minister
Setting the stage for the high-profile unveiling, Uttar Pradesh Science and Technology Minister Anil Kumar conducted an extensive on-ground inspection of both project campuses on Thursday. Accompanied by Principal Secretary (Science & Technology) Pandhari Yadav and Director-Secretary of the UP Council of Science and Technology Ramesh Chandra, the minister scrutinized the progress across all ongoing civil, digital, and infrastructural works. Issuing strict directives to the Gorakhpur Development Authority (GDA) and associated construction agencies, the minister underlined that zero compromise on construction quality or finishing deadlines will be tolerated ahead of the Chief Minister's scheduled visit.
₹18.60 Crore Mahant Avedyanath Knowledge-Science Park
Mounted at an investment of ₹18.60 crore, the newly conceptualized Mahant Avedyanath Knowledge-Science Park has been designed to nurture a scientific mindset and creative curiosity among young learners. The ministerial delegation reviewed the installation of interactive exhibits across dedicated pavilions, including the Ancient Indian Science Gallery, Innovation Lab, Fun Science, and Space Science Galleries. The complex also features an outdoor science park with experiential installations, a modern entrance plaza, dedicated cafeterias, well-paved pathways, an open-air theater, spacious bus parking, and a futuristic dinatorium. Particular focus was placed on the Astronomy and Indian Space Programme Gallery, anchored by an aerodynamic aluminum dome engineered to showcase India's indigenous lunar, solar, and planetary missions through interactive multimedia formats.
₹46.88 Crore Overhaul of Veer Bahadur Singh Planetarium
Complementing the science park, a massive budget of ₹46.88 crore is being utilized for the comprehensive modernization of the historic Veer Bahadur Singh Planetarium. Following his tour of the central dome, Minister Anil Kumar convened an administrative review meeting with senior GDA engineers and representatives from the contracted executing firms—M/s Chandra Events and Production Private Limited, M/s Khushi Enterprises, and M/s Infovision Technologies Private Limited. The minister emphasized that the planetarium's upgraded opto-mechanical projection technology and immersive digital acoustics will present complex astronomical phenomena, celestial navigation, and deep-space physics in an engaging, intuitive visual narrative.
Boosting Scientific Literacy and Tourism in Eastern UP
Key administrative leaders—including GDA Vice President Abhinav Gopal, Chief Engineer Kishan Singh, Assistant Engineer Raj Bahadur Singh, and Planetarium Scientific Officer Mahadev Pandey—coordinated the operational overview during the high-level review. Officials noted that the combined ₹65.48 crore scientific complex will act as a major catalyst for educational tourism across Gorakhpur, Deoria, Kushinagar, and Maharajganj districts. By combining ancestral scientific heritage with space-age technology, the facility is positioned to inspire future generations of engineers, researchers, and astrophysicists across Northern India.
