NEW DELHI: Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum (YYBM) to be set up in North and South blocks will have about 25,000 artefacts — depicting the history of 5,000 years of India’s civilization — on display in eight thematic galleries. Besides the cultural objects from National Museum in Delhi, the new facility will showcase antique repositories from the museums of other states.
Senior officials privy to the development said that given the availability of large exhibition space in YYBM, it is proposed to put exhibits four-time more than the objects available for public viewing at National Museum.
“There are about 6,000 artefacts and relics displayed presently in National Museum. According to the plan being worked upon, there should be around 25,000 articles in YYBM,” said an official. Though there is no clarity on the deadline for the project, the official added that it depends on handing over of the two administrative blocks for retrofitting and repurposing. Efforts are on to vacate North and South blocks by June.
Union culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Thursday said restoration of the twin buildings would begin only after the ministries functioning from the two blocks are shifted to new secretariat buildings. “In the last 100 years, need-based changes like partitions have been introduced in North and South blocks. They will be restored to original form. The mapping of the North block is completed and the process in the South Block is going on,” Shekhawat said.