Guwahati, March 7: Assam science and technology minister Keshab Mahanta today inaugurated a mock coal mine gallery and a student activity centre in place of a makeshift facility at the Regional Science Centre here.

The gallery will give visitors a simulated experience of being inside an underground coal mine with an overview of the mining process, manual and mechanical coal-cutting methods, transportation and safety measures adopted in them.

The student activity centre is a 40-seat room and board facility for students, both girls and boys, who visit the centre from across the state, to engage in scientific activities for a limited period.

Set up in an area of 2,000 square feet, the mock coal mine gallery is the only one of its kind in the Northeast.

Various mining and miners' safety instruments, including safety mask, self-rescuer, methanometer, explosimeter, anemometer and Davy's safety lamps are being displayed in the gallery. It has a light and sound synchronised auto-demonstrated system in Assamese, Hindi and English.

"This replica of the underground coal mine is based on the mine at Margherita in Upper Assam. This will help the students know the coal-extraction process," said Mahanta, after inaugurating the gallery.

He said work on the science city at Sonapur on the outskirts of the city has also begun.

Hrishikesh Goswami, who had been working for children through the Children's Literary Trust for long before being appointed chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal's press adviser, also attended the event.

He requested the students present to inculcate observation and inquisitiveness to build up a scientific temperament.

"Here, visitors will experience the unique atmosphere of a real coal mine. Our experienced guide will explain the methods used in coal mines in the past and at present. They will provide an insight into the life of a miner," said Basudev Mandal, the project coordinator of the centre.

"The air circulation and illumination techniques inside the mine, in spite of its great depth and extreme darkness, are presented here. One can get an idea of the coal-cutting methods, manual and mechanical, transportation of coal, how the tunnel stays up and does not collapse after the excavation of coal, the safety measures adopted and so on," said Mandal.

He said the centre has received over five lakh visitors in fiscal. The figure is expected to reach 5.5 lakh by the end of this month.

"Our revenue collection has also reached Rs 1 crore. We are heading for self-sufficiency," said Mandal.

The centre needs around Rs 1.2 crore annually for salaries and maintenance.