Guwahati, July 22: The long-awaited Guwahati Science City project is inching closer to completion, with Science and Technology Minister Keshav Mahanta meeting Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi on Monday to finalise plans for its inauguration in December.
The high-level meeting took place at Shastri Bhawan, with senior officials, including Joint Secretary Lily Pandey and NCSM Director General Arijit Dutta Chowdhury, also in attendance. The Science City is being developed under the National Science Museum Scheme with joint funding from the Central and Assam governments.
During the meeting, Mahanta briefed Shekhawat on the progress of construction and confirmed that the departments involved are working on a fast-track mode to ensure readiness by year-end. He requested the Union Minister to support a grand inauguration, potentially by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In response, Shekhawat directed his ministry officials and the NCSM to expedite final preparations and assured Mahanta of efforts to facilitate PM Modi’s presence for the launch.
In a major funding boost, the Union Culture Ministry has sanctioned an additional ₹50.09 crore, while the Assam government has approved ₹49.88 crore more, over and above the original budget. This infusion is expected to accelerate final works and ensure a world-class finish.
The Guwahati Science City will house a range of futuristic attractions, including Virtual Reality Theatre, Eureka Gallery, Digital Adventure Zone, Knowledge-on-Sphere, Immersive Digital Experiences, Pop-Up Exhibitions, Astronomy Halls, a wormhole-inspired staircase in the Space Odyssey zone and a state-of-the-art science museum in the Discovery Complex showcasing major scientific inventions and breakthroughs.
The NCSM has already completed key components, including the entrance complex, Space Odyssey, and the Science Discovery Complex.
Once completed, Guwahati Science City is expected to become a premier destination for science education and exploration in Northeast India—blending learning, innovation, and entertainment under one roof.
