Cuttack, Dec. 8: A state-of-the-art 4D theatre complex will shortly come up at the Orissa State Maritime Museum here at Jobra as the process of finalisation of the tender for the proposed project has reached its final stages.

The work for the 48-seat complex is expected to begin shortly, official source said.

The pneumatically controlled theatrical show integrated with advanced 4D viewing experience will be available for the visitors here at the maritime museum from next year.

"We plan to complete necessary formalities within the next few days and the entire 4D theatre complex to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 2.21 crore is expected to be made operational by March 2016," said museum director Basudev Mohapatra.

The civil works for the installation of high-end equipment has already started for the proposed theatre that will be come up on nearly 13,000sqft area.

Last year, the state government had given nod to set up a 3D theatre complex. However, the proposals were changed keeping in view the recent development in the technologies. It will be a new and unique experience for the visitors as there will be various special effects - neck blast, back vibrator, leg tickler, air blast, and facial water spray near the seats.

According to the plans, various short films of maximum 15 minutes duration will be screened at the proposed theatre. There would be special added effects, including wind, smoke, fog, aroma, strobes, bubbles and even snow during the screening.

The 3D viewing technology, equipped with powerful surround systems at the complex along with special effects, will ensure a complete entertainment package for the visitors here.

There has been a sharp increase in the footfall of visitors after the addition of the aquarium project at the state maritime museum in August last year, Mohapatra said. It had registered a turnout of 1,41,000 visitors in 2014 against the total 95,000 visitors after the museum's inauguration by the chief minister in 2013.

Museum authorities are hopeful that that turnout will cross 1.5 lakh by the end of the current fiscal as the total attendance has crossed 90,000 by the end of November this year.

"After the 4D theatre complex is established, the number of visitors and revenue generation will certain go up as well," Mohapatra said.

Over 100 species of fish collected from various parts of the world are now being exhibited at the dedicated aquarium built on over 3,000sqft inside the museum complex.

A variety of exotic and marine creatures, including the arapima gigas, the world's largest fresh water fish, red tail catfish of South America, have been displayed at the aquarium.

The deadly black piranha, frontosa cichlid from Lake Tanganyika in Africa and four special biotopes showcasing a number of aquatic species found in Odisha are the centre of attraction here.