GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on March 10 inaugurated the state’s first Science City at Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati, describing the project as a major step toward encouraging scientific thinking and innovation among young people.

Spread across 82 acres, the facility has been developed at a cost of ?300 crore and is aimed at promoting science education, public engagement with scientific ideas, and innovation in Assam.

Speaking at the inauguration, Sarma said the Science City would serve as an important hub for students and science enthusiasts, offering interactive exhibits and learning spaces designed to stimulate curiosity and creativity.

According to the chief minister, the campus houses major attractions such as Eureka and Space Odyssey, which are expected to become key highlights of the centre. He also said the facility is larger in scale than the well-known Science City Kolkata.

“Assam gets its own Science City and it will be one of the best in the country. Built on the outskirts of Guwahati, this project has several unique features and will inspire young minds towards scientific thinking,” Sarma said in a social media post.

He added that additional facilities would be introduced in the coming months to expand the campus further. Planned additions include a Science Innovation Centre and a Science Park aimed at strengthening the ecosystem for hands-on learning and experimentation.

Officials said the project has been developed through a collaboration between the Assam government and the National Council of Science Museums, which functions under the Ministry of Culture.

On the same occasion, Sarma also virtually inaugurated five district-level science centres located in Amingaon, Majuli, Silchar, Kaliabor and Bongaigaon.

These centres are equipped with science galleries, digital planetariums and auditoriums, designed to make scientific knowledge more accessible to students and the wider public.

Officials said the network of science centres across the state is expected to help nurture scientific temperament among young learners while encouraging interest in science, technology and innovation.

The initiatives are part of the state government’s broader effort to strengthen science education infrastructure and inspire the next generation of researchers and innovators in Assam.