The Science Express Train at Sonepur railway station. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Feb 4: The excitement at Sonepur today was nothing less than the enthusiasm witnessed at the time of its famous animal fair.

The otherwise quiet town came alive as the specially crafted 16-coach, fully air-conditioned Science Express train chugged into platform No. 4 at Sonepur railway station, once known for its longest platform in Asia.

The Science Express was opened to public by Angaraj Mohan, additional divisional railway manager, Sonepur.

A large number of students from different schools of Sonepur and Hajipur turned up on the first day to see the exhibition.

Large number of students from Central School, D.N. Public School, Government Middle School, Sant Paul School, Heritage Public School, P.R. College and Maxwell Public School visited Science Express today.

The students showed great interest in the scientific innovations on display.

Students from Patna schools are also expected to visit the exhibition on the Science Express during the three-day halt of the train at Sonepur.

Angaraj Mohan said: “The aim of the exhibition is to nurture curiosity among the youths and encourage them to pursue higher studies and career in the science stream. This is the first time that the railways has taken the initiative and given a platform to young science students to learn things through the exhibition. Generally you see exhibitions in packed rooms or halls but seeing it in a train is very different and exciting experience. Just watch the faces of these students who are getting the opportunity to see this exhibition. There is smile and excitement on their faces.”

He further said: “The train has been designed to educate people in general and students in particular about the developments in the field of science and technology and how these developments are going to affect our future.”

The Science Express is the flagship venture of National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) and department of science and technology.

A majority of the exhibits have been designed and developed by Max Planck Society of Germany.

Senior divisional commercial manager Sikha Tripathi said: “The Science Express train showcases more than 300 large format visual images, over 150 video clips and multimedia exhibits, which deal extensively with cutting-edge research in science and technology.”