(a) whether the Government has any plans/proposals to develop “science cities” within large metropolitan areas;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to set up science parks in various States including Telangana?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) CULTURE & TOURISM AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR CIVIL AVIATION(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
a) Yes, Madam
National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture is engaged in establishment of Science Centres throughout the country. NCSM is developing a Science City at Guwahati, Assam which will subsequently be handed over to the Govt. of Assam for future operation and maintenance. Proposals from various state governments have also been received for setting up of Science Cities. The Science Centres/Cities projects are taken up by NCSM in a phased manner depending upon the availability of resources, project handling capacity of NCSM and the existing level of science centre activities in that particular State.
b) Details of the proposals received by NCSM for establishment of Science Cities are enclosed in Annexure-I
c) Science Park is now an integral component of all Science Centres and Science Cities and hence is not set up as an independent facility. NCSM has not received any proposal from Govt. of Telangana for setting up of Science Centre/City after its creation.