Futala’s floating stage needs Maharashtra Maritime board clearance

NAGPUR: The Futala fountain project now awaits an approval from the Maharashtra Maritime Board for one its key components, after which the show can finally begin in its full shape.
Also one of its kind-- a floating stage was included subsequently in the plan with an idea to have troupes performing on the lake’s surface.
Sources says even as all the internal permission and financial approvals have been secured it also needed a clearance in terms of safety from a competent authority. In the state the Maritime Board was found to be the right agency.
The case has been put up before the board last week and a response is awaited said sources involved in implementation of the project. The board will examine whether the floating stage can be placed on the lake there with people performing on it.
Even for the Maritime Board it may be perhaps one if its kind case to be examined, said sources. The technical guidance was provided by IIT Mumbai for the stage.
The brainchild of union transport minister Nitin Gadkari the Futala project is the second biggest fountain in terms of length after Dubai. However also dubbed to be longest floating fountain on a natural body. The fountain in Dubai was first built and later an artificial water body created over it.
As the project advanced-- the floating stage and a second screen made of special steel in the shape of a banyan tree were added.
Under the original plan the entire imagery was to be seen on a screen created by the waters thrown out from the fountains.
To get a better view form the viewers’ gallery a second screen was planned.
The banyan tree screen will be embedded permanently on the lake bed. The floating stage on the other hand will be anchored in front of the fountains only when the shows would be held.
This would be similar to anchoring a ship. When the fountains operate the stage would be taken aside. The idea is to have live performance on the stage placed in front of the viewing gallery.
The entire system will be synced with the banyan tree screen which imagery shown in triangles shaped slots. This requires a compel efforts including mapping the screen’s contours, said a source.
The narration and scenes are also being worked out based on the suggestions during trial runs. This is requires the creative part to be redone to a great extent, said a source.