Work has started on the Himachal region of India’s first planetarium, to be known as the Science Learning Centre and built in the town of Shoghi.

The Rs109.8m (US$1.8m, €1.4m, £1.1m) development will not only look to the skies, but also aim to analyse the nature of glaciers, floods and rivers, according to Himachal’s chief minister Virbhadra Singh, who laid the foundation stone for the build.

"This would be amongst few planetariums in the country which would also be tourist attraction besides offering an opportunity to the local people to learn the mysteries of the world of planets," he added, also stating that the plans would not only help to promote scientific temperament, but would help the stakeholders, including farmers, to learn about scientific process in the field of agriculture and horticulture.

Also included in the plans being set up by the country’s Science, Technology and Environment agencies is a science museum, bio-diversity park and modern laboratories to be used for research purposes.