Ranchi: Chief minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday directed the department of higher and technical education to prepare plans to run mobile science exhibition buses across 24 districts of the state to encourage people, especially students develop interest in science. The department was also asked to design a roadmap to promote research, start-ups, innovation and technology-based learning in the state’s higher and technical institutions.Chairing a meeting of the Jharkhand Council of Science, Technology, and Innovation (JCSTI), he stressed on linking science and innovation to solve real problems of Jharkhand. “Besides technology in the agricultural sector, mechanical innovations should be promoted so that agricultural work become more accessible, modern, and productive,” he said.“Science City should be a centre of attraction for people of every age group. Special initiatives should be taken to arrange visits for children from govt schools to science cities and planetariums in cities across the country to generate curiosity and interest in innovation among them,” Hemant said, adding the govt plans to set up science cities along with planetariums in districts in addition to the existing Science City, Chrioundi.He also held meetings with urban development, road construction, and tourism departments. Reviewing urban development projects in Ranchi, he stressed on strengthening the existing infrastructure, expansion of civic amenities, and progress of ‘Smart City’ projects. “Emphasis was also laid on steps to promote plantation and maintain environmental balance,” read a statement issued by the information and public relations department (IPRD).