APSECM seeks 4 acre land at Vizag’s Kailasagiri for category-I science centre

Nagalakshmi S. Chief Executive Officer of APSECM | Photo Credit: th-online Administrator Tourists enjoy a ride on the circular train atop Kailasagiri in Visakhapatnam on Monday. K R Deepak | Photo Credit: KR DEEPAK VISAKHAPATNAMIn a major push to foster scientific temper and energy innovation in coastal Andhra Pradesh, the Andhra Pradesh State Energy Conservation Mission (APSECM) has sought four acres of land atop Kailasagiri in Visakhapatnam to establish a state-of-the-art Category-I Science Centre, featuring an ‘Energy and Innovation Hub (Fab Lab)’.The proposed initiative is being taken up under the Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPOCS), a flagship initiative of the Union Ministry of Culture.According to official correspondence, APSECM, backed by APEPDCL, identified four acres of land in Survey No. 150 on Kailasagiri Hills, located adjacent to the iconic Telugu Museum.Chief Executive Officer of APSECM, Nagalakshmi S, recently urged the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) to expedite the land allotment process, noting that confirmation of the site is critical to finalise the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and secure central funding from the Ministry of Culture.Unique theme and public impactUnlike conventional science museums across the country, this Category-I Science Centre stands out due to its core focus on energy conservation, renewable technologies, and hands-on innovation through a dedicated Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab). While India houses several science centres under the SPOCS initiative, the integration of a specialised energy-themed hub makes this project a unique regional facility aimed at bridging formal education with practical, real-world applications.The facility is designed to benefit the public, particularly students, young innovators, researchers, and tourists visiting Kailasagiri. Visitors will gain interactive exposure to sustainable energy models, clean tech innovations, and digital fabrication tools like 3D printing and prototyping equipment, helping nurture an entrepreneurial ecosystem among the local youth.Speaking to The Hindu, APEPDCL Superintending Engineer Shyambabu confirmed the development, stating, “Yes, we have approached the VMRDA for the land. They are willing to give the land.”When contacted, VMRDA Chief Engineer Vinay Kumar said, “Yes, we are presently identifying suitable land at Kailasagiri, near the Telugu Museum, which we plan to allocate.”With the VMRDA actively processing the request, officials expect the project to move to the central approval phase once the formal land handover is completed. Published - September 07, 2026 08:03 pm IST