Residents of Chandrapur, specially Rajura tehsil, are likely to witness a unique celestial event between November 1 and December 31 this year as a huge scientific balloon belonging to the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), carrying scientific instruments and equipment, may land in the tehsil during this period. The district administration issued an advisory for all villages to spread awareness among masses regarding the scientific balloon and to inform the administration in case of its landing in any part of Chandrapur district. “It is a confidential project being conducted by TIFR and ISRO in this region.

 

The landing radius of the balloon is 350 kms and if it lands in Rajura or nearby places, then the local administration will take care of this scientific equipment without any damage,” Omprakash Gaud, Tehsildar, Rajura told The Hitavada. “The administration has informed all tehsil offices and Gram Panchayats about the landing of the balloon and also instructed to take precautionary measures in case of its landing in their jurisdiction,” said Gaud. The balloon was launched from Hyderabad facility of TIFR on October 25 and it will be landing before December 31 in the radius of 350 kms. In March this year, similar scientific balloon of TIFR and ISRO crash landed in Sangola town in Kolhapur district which had scientific equipment weighing nearly 1.5 tonne.

 

Panic spread among citizens after the crash. To avoid such panic, the central agencies and local administration are taking care of its landing. In April 2022, parts of a Chinese Long March rocket fell in Chandrapur district after residents observed an unidentified flying object. Debris, including a 3-metre metallic ring and a cylindrical object, was found to be hot, leading to speculation that it had recently fallen from the sky. After that rocket crash, another such event likely be observed in Chandrapur district but this time the administration is making people aware to avoid any rumours and panic.