Sambalpur, July 21: The planetarium at Burla will be operational within three months.

Most of the work has been completed. District collector Samarth Verma today said: "Only equipment need to be installed to make the planetarium operational. A firm has already been assigned with the responsibility to install the equipment. The issue has been discussed with the principal secretary, and the work will be completed within three months."

The planetarium's construction, which had been pegged to cost Rs 5.60 crore, began in January 2014. The Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation carried out its construction work.

The planetarium will have the capacity to accommodate 170 to 180 people. There is also a proposal to develop a science park on its premises. But, the park will be developed after the planetarium becomes operational.

Burla town, which is home to institutions such as Sambalpur University, Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) and the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Vimsar), is considered the education hub of western Odisha.

"The decision to set up a planetarium at Burla is praiseworthy. It will run educational shows and be a place where students and children can learn a little about astronomy. The planetarium will also give students exposure to the solar system, extra solar system objects and space," said Sambalpur University teacher Chandra Sekhar Panda.

"We are now waiting for the planetarium to be operational. It will be a boon for students of this region," said VSSUT student Kuldeep Giri.

Thousands of tourists from across the state visit Burla to see the Hirakud dam, Zero Point and the Jawahar Minar. Local residents are hopeful that the planetarium will draw more visitors to Burla.

"The planetarium will be an added attraction for the tourists. They will definitely visit the planetarium and the science park. Steps should be taken to make it functional at the earliest," said Burla resident Katesh Sahu.