Pathani Samant planetarium in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, May 20: The state government has decided to give a facelift to the Pathani Samant planetarium. It has roped in US-based company, Evans and Sutherland to install new equipment.

Known as the world’s first computer graphics company, Evans and Sutherland has developed advanced computer graphics technology for almost four decades. Focusing primarily on digital planetariums and digital cinemas worldwide, Evans and Sutherland is now the world’s only turnkey provider for a complete digital theatre.

After seeing the deterioration in the quality of the programme, the state government has asked the Industrial Infastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) to prepare a masterplan to improve the quality of the programme. IDCO has been entrusted with the infrastructure development of the planetarium.

The government had constituted a 12-member technical committee, headed by noted physicist Professor Trilochan Pradhan, to bring about reforms in the planetarium.

“On their advice, a tender was floated by the government. A number of companies applied for it. But the technical committee selected Evan and Sutherland,” officials said.

The company will charge Rs 4crore to install the equipment with a three-year warranty for it. After the warranty expires, the company will remain in charge of the machine for another five years.

“We have estimated that around Rs 9crore will be spent for the renovation of the planetarium. All the chairs of the planetarium will be replaced. The work will be completed by March 2012,” officials said.

The government has already provided Rs 15lakh to the company. “An MoU will be signed with the company to this effect,” official said.

“Mumbai-based Infovision Technology will work in the state on behalf of Evans and Sutherland. Later, a group of officials from the company will train the planetarium staff on how to operate the machines,” officials said.