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55cr expansion plan for museum

TNN | Oct 5, 2012, 07.50AM IST

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MUMBAI: The BMC, along with the trust that maintains the Bhau Daji Lad museum, has charted out a Rs 55-crore expansion plan for the museum. Amenities on the lines of international museums like the one in Singapore will now be provided at the museum.
The highlight of the expansion plan is the construction of an exhibition area, souvenir shops, heritage conservation laboratory and seminar halls in the area behind the museum, which currently features some dilapidated structures.

The central government will contribute Rs 5 crore towards the expansion plans, while the civic body and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), which runs and maintains the museum, will contribute Rs 25 crore each.

A decision to this effect was taken on Wednesday in a joint meeting held by civic chief Sitaram Kunte, mayor Sunil Prabhu and standing committee chairman Rahul Shewale and INTACH officials. The new construction will add 50,000 sq ft to the existing building. The museum hosts at least 1.5 lakh visitors every year, of which 10% are foreigners.

"The budgetary provision for the project will be done in next year's budget and the expansion will be completed by 2015 Consultants will be appointed to prepare models for the new structure and the one who submits the best model in terms of design and architecture will be awarded the contract," said Shewale. He said that the budgetary provision for the project will be done in next year's budget and the project will be completed by 2015.

The Bhau Daji Lad Musuem, which is Mumbai's oldest museum, hosts at least 1.5 lakh visitors every year, of which 10% are foreigners. had been renovated between 2003 and 2007. Built in 1872 as the Victoria and Albert showcase, the museum is symbolic of Mumbai's growing importance as a trading hub