The 3D theatre coming up on the premises of Patna zoo would become functional from April next year, deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi announced on Sunday.

The building of the 3D theatre is almost complete, work on its interiors is going on. Creative Museum Designers, a company owned by the National Council of Science Museums, has been brought in for this work.

“The 3D theatre would screen films on wildlife and related subjects and it would help in educating people about wildlife,” said Modi, who also heads the state department of environment, forests and climate change.

The deputy CM had gone to Patna zoo on Sunday to take part in a programme during which he launched a dozen pedal boats that visitors can ride in the zoo pond. Modi inaugurated a new enclosure for a one-and-a-half-year old rhino, and also released a booklet which contains a detailed history of the zoo’s tryst with rhinos.

Modi announced that the rhino breeding centre on the zoo premises would be ready by March next year. An area of 5.5 acres has been earmarked on the zoo premises where the breeding centre is being developed. The Centre has provided Rs 3.62 crore for the project.

“The new facility would provide better habitat to rhinos leading to more breeding,” Modi said. “These rhinos could be used for bringing more animals to the zoo through exchange programmes.”

There are a dozen one-horned rhinos in Patna zoo, the highest among all zoos in the world.

Modi also announced that the toy train at the zoo would restart soon.