Patna: The department of science and technology (S&T) will review architectural design of the proposed Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Science City in Patna on Friday.

The department has constituted a consortium of three national and international companies to prepare a design for construction of the Rs 397 crore science city in Rajendra Nagar area of Patna.

Bangalore-based Flying Elephant Studio has been given the task of preparing architectural design. GSM Project, a Canada (Montreal)-based group specialising in design and production of thematic installations and exhibitions, mainly for museums, has been given the task to exhibit project design. UK-based Bleed are project management consultant for the project.

Atul Sinha, director technical (S&T), said: "A meeting with Bangalore-based company Flying Elephant Studio, which has been given the task of preparing architectural design of the science city, is scheduled on Friday. Officials from the company will showcase architectural design of the science city." The officials are expected to share minute details with science & technology officials, such as entrance gates of science city, its route, area where fire tenders and alarm bells will be installed and more.

Once S&T department officials are convinced, the next phase will be the project's construction. The department will issue tenders for the same.

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Science City is coming up on 20.48 acres at Rajendra Nagar between Premchand Rangshala and Moin-ul-Haq Stadium.

Sources said the department is reviewing architectural design of the project. Only boundary wall has come up, but work could pick up pace now.

In July 2012, the state cabinet approved construction on 15 acres at Rajendra Nagar but the actual land required was at least 25 acres. So, the project went into cold storage. The second time, the cabinet increased land allotment to 20.48 acres. Finally, at the third sitting on May 2017, the cabinet allotted Rs 397 crore for the 20.48-acre science city.

"The science city will have six to seven sections with features of their own," a science and technology official said on condition of anonymity. "There will be sections on basic science, body and mind, President Kalam and his work, space and others."

The science city can accommodate 10 lakh visitors per annum. It will have three halls with a seating capacity of 500, 200 and 100, respectively, and a huge dormitory. As it will cater to the needs of students, especially schoolchildren and students coming to Patna from other districts on excursion, there will be a few 100-bed hostels, too, on the premises.