Lack of space prevents display of artefacts in National Museum

NEW DELHI: The National Museum here has over two lakh artefacts but can showcase only 15,000 of them because of a tug-of-war for space with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which occupies a chunk of its land.

The ASI is ready to free up space for the museum but finds itself in a piquant situation as its demand for land to construct its office in Lutyen's Delhi has met with opposition from the Union urban development ministry.

The result --a stalemate.

"The ASI has expansion plans and we have been trying to get space to construct the office for the past several years," ASI Director General Anshu Vaish told.

ASI officers now function from sheds built on the same plot as the museum building and critical publications have to overcome linkages in the structure, sources said.

The ASI, which has been alloted an office at 24 Tilak Marg, has decided to build its administrative block there. But as the site is in the Lutyen's bungalow zone, it does not have permission to tinker with it.

"We are yet to get permission from the urban development ministry to construct our office there. We have submitted our plans, which show that we will not harm the ambience and build around the original building," Vaish said.
  
Vaish, who met Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy with Joint Secretary (Culture) Lov Verma in this regard, said Reddy told her that the ministry is "considering" the proposal.

The culture ministry has grand plans for the museum once the ASI finds separate office accommodation. "We want the museum to be comparable to any other museum internationally," a source said.

National Museum Director General A K V S Reddy said it will be able to accommodate more artefacts once the ASI vacates its office in the complex.
   
"At any given time, we have to showcase 20 per cent of our total exhibits. Our urgent need is to store these two lakh artefacts. They are just dumped here. We need a place to build storehouses," he said.

Reddy said finding space for the artefacts is important as the museum cannot build another floor or a basement.
    
A three-member committee has been formed to look into this aspect. At the moment, it is looking at how the museum could be modernised in its current state.
   
"In the first phase, the existing infrastructure will be improved with modern gadgets to give it a modern look," said Reddy.

In the final phase, the building where the ASI now has its office will be redone to exhibit artefacts.

"Both sides will benefit once the ASI's office space is decided," a source said.
    
The ASI wants to build a modern office, complete with a library, research laboratories and display space, sources said.