Pathani Samanta Planetarium at Acharya Vihar in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, May 15: When 12-year-old Sanket visited the Pathani Samanta Planetarium with his father today, he was utterly dismayed.

Ever since his summer vacations began this month, the Class VI student had been planning to watch a show on the planets’ evolution, for which he went there all the way from Cuttack with his father. But the state’s only planetarium, which was shut for renovation last August, disappointed them.

Once hustling and buzzing with minds full of questions about the universe, the astronomical museum that has been refurbished with latest digital equipment now wears a dull and lifeless look, waiting to be appreciated for its new appearance.

The reason for the endless wait is reportedly nothing else but time constraints of the VIP guests who are supposed to attend its formal inauguration ceremony.

Usually a hotspot for schoolchildren, youngsters and tourists, the planetarium has been shut for close to nine months now.

“Last year, I had come here on a school trip and I loved the experience. I wanted to come here again with my father. So, we had planned the trip during my summer vacation. But, it is still closed and there is no one here. I am very disappointed,” said Sanket.

Established in 1990, the planetarium offers a sky theatre with a dome-shaped screen to project films based on astronomical subjects. There are a number of huge working science models in the lawns of the organisation that impart knowledge on celestial events and phenomena. A lavish set up with light and sound facilities also gives an audio-visual experience to the visitors.

“We expected hundreds of young science enthusiasts and tourists to enjoy the pleasant experience that the planetarium now offers post renovation. Though the peak season for visitors is November to February, we also get a good footfall during the summer vacation. But, this time we are waiting for the formal inauguration to take place,” said an official of the planetarium.

The planetarium was closed since August 23, 2011, for upgrading its facilities and equipment and giving its campus a facelift. Though the authorities initially had a tentative deadline of December for completion of the work, delay in acquiring equipment from USA and other countries stretched the deadline to March.

“The installation of the latest equipment was over in March. We are now ready to function with our new technology,” added the official.

As ministers and bureaucrats were busy and unavailable to inaugurate the planetarium on April 1, the next date for its inauguration was set up as May 8. However, the VIPs gave it a miss too. While science and technology minister Anjali Behera was invited as a guest for the occasion, bureaucrats in the department had invited the chief minister who was then out of state.

“We had already conducted a trial run and found everything to be working fine. As soon as the chief minister’s office gives consent, we will throw the planetarium’s gates open to the public following an official ceremony,” said director of the planetarium William Bilung.