Futala fountain to have another screen to give better view

Nagpur: The Futala fountain may get some last minute additions, pushing ahead its formal inauguration by a couple of months.
Trial runs have shown that spectators seated at the ends of the viewing galleries may not be able to get a good view of the show. A key feature of the fountains is that images are displayed on a vertical screen created out of water gushing out and sustained at high pressure.
The distance between the fountain and the gallery needs to be increased to getting a better viewing angle for all, said sources.
It may not be possible to take the fountain backwards, as the adjustment of electric cables would be disturbed. To overcome this, it has been decided to have a fixed large screen behind the fountain. In the shape of a huge banyan tree, it would take around 70 tonnes of steel to make it. This would take another two months for the fountain to be ready for the public. It would also lead to additional cost, however, the calculations are yet to be worked out, a source said.
As per the original plan a screen of water is created through high pressure fountains, on which images are shown during the music show. For example, if the Jai Ho song goes along with the fountains even certain scenes are displayed to create an impact.
“During the trial runs it was seen that there could be better impact if a steel screen displaying the scenes is set up. The images on the new screen can be sharper, compared to those on the water screen. Images would be displayed on both screens when shows are opened for public,” the source said. Or maybe each of the screens would be turned on one after another. All such aspects would be worked out eventually, said sources.
The banyan tree shaped screen would be placed behind the fountains. This will also increase the distance between the fountain and the viewing gallery. In turn, viewers seated at the corners of the gallery would also get a better view of the images projected during the show, the source said.
Initially, there were two proposals, with one having the steel screen also. However, it was decided to go ahead with the water screen alone. Now, after the trial runs, it was realised that having another screen would have better impact, said sources.
Longer shows are also being planned at the lake, in which better view can be ensured through the new screen. It was also mooted that different shows or even sports events can be shown live at the screen, said the source.
Although placing a new screen means it would take another two months for the facility to be inaugurated. It’s hoped that the fountains would be ready by Diwali, sources said.