Erode Corporation handy over STEM park operation and upkeep to contractor

With the present contractor expressing unwillingness to function and keep the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Park at Sree Garden in Surampatti, the Corporation has determined to ask a brand new operator to run the power.

Established underneath the Smart Cities Mission at ₹9.50 crore, the park covers 48,900 sq. ft. and options science and arithmetic devices, evolution reveals, a science sphere, an indoor gallery, an observatory dome with a telescope, and an area zone. The absolutely air-conditioned digital planetarium has a 360-degree dome with a high-end projection system for screening movies on astronomical and expedition subjects. The park features a play zone for youngsters.

Ankidyne, a producer and installer of science park reveals, was licensed to function the park from October 2023 to September 2024 and it was prolonged until September 2025. However, following the current demise of its founder, the corporate handed over upkeep to the civic physique on September 30, 2025.

The Corporation had mounted entrance and exercise charges, together with these for trampoline and sky-watching tools, and elevated its income share from 15% to 25% final yr.

A senior Corporation engineer stated the annual upkeep value is about ₹16.04 lakh, masking salaries, repairs, and different bills. “It is just not possible for the Corporation to take care of the park immediately. Hence, a brand new contractor might be appointed by means of tender. A deposit of ₹10 lakh has been mounted,” the official stated, including that the Corporation will handle the park briefly till a brand new operator takes cost.