Pathani Samanta Planetarium shut down

Bhubaneswar: The Pathani Samanta Planetarium here in the city has become non-operational since last three days with no apparent efforts from the authorities to restore operation has put a damper on hundreds of tourists visiting the famous site.

“It is very discouraging that I did not know that the planetarium was closed until I came here. Now all of a sudden we see that planetarium authorities have put up a notice saying that there are some technical issues due to which the site has been closed down,” Ankit Rathi, a trainee from Chilika Naval Training Centre said.

Since the website dedicated to the planetarium also do not have any notification regarding the closure, hundreds of tourists from not only the state but across the country come here only to return empty handed after being unable to visit the site.

On the other hand the authorities are yet to comment anything on the issue.

The planetarium is one of the famous tourist attraction in the state and welcomes hundreds of space science enthusiasts and stargazers daily. It was the only planetarium in the state until last month when Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated another at Burla in Sambalpur.