Pune: Chinchwad Planetarium Faces Leakage Issues, Requires Urgent Repairs

Chinchwad, 2nd November 2023: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), on behalf of its mission to educate students and citizens about astronomy, established a planetarium next to the Science Park in Chinchwad. The planetarium, equipped with a real opto-mechanical and 2D digital planetarium system, was inaugurated on May 15, 2023, by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

However, less than five months after its opening, the planetarium began experiencing significant issues with rainwater leakage from the dome, raising concerns about the quality of work done. To address this problem, the Standing Committee has approved a budget of 20 lakhs for necessary repairs.

The planetarium serves as an important resource for students and teachers interested in studying astronomy, providing information about celestial bodies such as the Milky Way, Earth’s atmosphere, changes in the atmosphere, planets, stars, constellations, the Sun, and Earth, among others. The facility has received a positive response from students and citizens eager to explore the wonders of the universe. Unfortunately, during the rainy season, water infiltration into the planetarium disrupted its activities, leading to the temporary closure of the planetarium.

Permanent measures are now underway to prevent further leakage from the glass joists of the dome. This includes the installation of a metal strip to reinforce the joint. The estimated cost for these repairs is approximately 20 lakhs.

As there was no initial provision for this expenditure, funds are being redirected from a budget allocated for the development of an 18-meter DP road along the river in Ward No. 19. A total of 20 lakhs has been approved for the planetarium’s repair work by Commissioner Shekhar Singh. Rajendra Shinde, Executive Engineer, confirmed, “The repair process will be carried out according to the recommendations provided by a consultant.”