Science City Project in Kottayam to be Inaugurated on May 29
Following years of delays and political tussles, the Science City project at Kozha in Kottayam will finally open its first phase on May 29, informed Higher Education Minister R. Bindu.
Developed under the aegis of the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum, the project is coming up on 30 acres of land allocated by the State government. At its core lies the Science Centre, which will house science galleries, a 3D theatre, a science park, seminar halls, and an innovation hub. Planned future additions include a planetarium, motion simulator, AR/VR theatres, an astronomical observatory and other supporting infrastructure.
The Science Centre building spans 47,147 square feet and features galleries on Fun Science, Marine Life and Science, and Emerging Technologies. Other facilities include a 3D theatre, temporary exhibition area, activity centre, seminar and conference halls and dedicated workshop spaces. A surrounding science park and artificial dinosaur enclosure have also been developed, along with a telescope to enable public night sky observation.
The project's first phase was conceived with an estimated budget of ₹14.5 crore, equally funded by the Central and State governments. Construction is being handled by the National Council of Science Museums, a central government agency. Beyond this shared contribution, the state government has already spent approximately ₹50 crore on supporting infrastructure.
Plans for the second phase of the Science City, with a proposed budget of ₹45 crore, have already been drawn up.
In parallel, a large-scale Biodiversity Park is also under development within the campus in collaboration with the Uzhavoor block panchayat and Kuravilangad grama panchayat, under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The park will host a diverse collection of flora native to Kerala's forests, including medicinal herbs, rare and endangered species, orchids, carnivorous plants, ornamental and aromatic varieties, bamboo species, and palms.
The project, which was first envisioned in 2014, has endured multiple delays over the years.
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