Visitors gather at the Pathani Samanta Planetarium on Tuesday and (below) a 3D show at one of its renovated galleries. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, May 29: The Pathani Samanta Planetarium, which had been closed since August 8 last year for renovation, was thrown open to the public today. The first day saw as many as 342 visitors, which included 100 children.

The planetarium authorities, however, have raised the ticket fees for the shows. The cost of the ticket has been fixed at Rs 25 for adults and Rs 15 for children below 15 years against that of Rs 15 and Rs 10 earlier.

The visitors expressed happiness at the reopening of the planetarium. But at the same time, they insisted that the ticket prices should not have been hiked.

“Facilities such as picture quality, sound and cooling system are quite good in the renovated planetarium. But, the ticket price should have remained the same especially for the children,” said a visitor.

On the other hand, the planetarium authorities said the ticket prices were less than most of the planetariums in other parts of the country.

“We have kept a provision of 50 per cent concession on ticket rates for groups with more than 30 students,” said an official of the planetarium.

Sources at the state science and technology department said the planetarium had generated a revenue of Rs 10,68,405 during 2009-10, whereas a revenue of Rs 5,81,657 was collected during 2010-11. During 2009-10, a total 84,848 visitors, including 37,841 children, visited the planetarium. But in 2010-11, the figure stood at 47,934, including 17,511 children.

“After a long wait, we finally had an experience of visiting the renovated planetarium. But the high cost of ticket can result in less number of people turning up to the only planetarium in the state,” said Abani Mohapatra, a senior citizen, who went with his family to watch a show on the first day after its renovation today.

Now, the planetarium will host four shows everyday, including two Odia shows titled Mysteries of Night Sky, one Hindi show titled Wonders of the Universe and one show in English titled Secrets of the Sky. It will remain closed on every Monday.

The digital planetarium equipment, which replaced the 22-year-old equipment, was installed at a cost of Rs 5.5 crores. The new digital equipment is capable of projecting 3D motion pictures and latest information in astronomy and space science.

Similarly, renovation works such as installation of new seats, auditorium flooring and installation of new air conditioners was done by the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) at a cost of Rs 1 crore. The sitting capacity has also been increased to 180 from 140.

The planetarium authorities are also planning to set up an interactive science model centre on its premises to display various scientific models.

“We have already discussed the proposal with the Idco. Work on it will be initiated after getting the plan and its estimates,” said director of the planetarium Willium Billung.

He also said two short films titled Walk through Odisha and Pathani Samanta: Life and Contributions will be shown before every show at the planetarium.