Bhubaneswar, May 23: Orissa may soon have an advanced astronomical observatory of its own.

Officials of Pathani Samanta Planetarium here said the new project is likely to be passed by the department of science and technology early next month.

About an acre of land on top of the Shikaharchandi hill has been chosen as the proposed site, said G.S. Roy, director of the planetarium, who has chalked out the ambitious proposal. “The hilltop near the Naraj barrage is also under consideration,” he added.

The proposed observatory could be located anywhere between 20 and 75 km from Bhubaneswar and will cater to the needs of interested sections of the population in and around the state.

Presently all those interested in astronomical sciences depend on the observatories at Kodaikanal or Nainital.

If the plans succeed it would meet the needs of about 1,000 scholars every year.

The Rs 3 crore observatory will have the latest equipment including cassagerial optical telescope, Schimidt Cassergain, IR and UV sensors and a well-furnished chemical laboratory.