Chandigarh’s museum, art gallery in for Rs 30-crore makeover
The Tribune Special: Admn sends proposal to Centre, seeks funds under Museum Grant Scheme
In a first major makeover, the Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10-C, is set for a Rs 30-crore upgrade. The Chandigarh Administration has submitted a detailed project report (DPR) to the Union Ministry of Culture seeking funds under its Museum Grant Scheme.
The proposal, sent by museum director Isha Kamboj, was formally submitted to the ministry recently. It seeks Rs 30.33 crore for a comprehensive overhaul of the building and its collection, under Category 1 of the scheme, meant for Central or state government-owned museums located in state capitals.
The museum, designed by Le Corbusier as part of the Capitol Complex precinct, is a Grade-I heritage structure. According to the DPR, the building has not undergone a major renovation in recent years. The Administration has cited the need to align the facility with contemporary museum standards while retaining its architectural character.
The largest component, at over Rs 7.2 crore, is earmarked for air-conditioning, including 24-hour power backup through generators. Conservation of the collection has been allotted Rs 1.5 crore, while the conservation lab is to be upgraded at a cost of Rs 2.36 crore. Building conservation work will cost Rs 3.55 crore, and interior and exhibition display upgrades Rs 2.67 crore. Lighting, covering both display and general requirements, accounts for Rs 3.31 crore. Digital and multimedia additions, including augmented reality, virtual reality, holographic displays and an audio app, have been budgeted at Rs 2.97 crore.
Security and CCTV coverage is listed at Rs 1.43 crore, and collection storage, including compactors and digitisation of the collection under the JATAN/TMS system along with publication of catalogues, at Rs 1.22 crore. Fire safety and risk management has been allocated Rs 25.75 lakh, and a 15-passenger lift Rs 28.98 lakh. A 10 per cent contingency of Rs 2.75 crore has been added to the base estimate of Rs 27.57 crore, taking the total to Rs 30.33 crore.
The museum houses Gandhara sculptures, along with Pahari, Sikh and Rajasthani miniature paintings, textiles, coins and a collection of modern Indian art. It was established in 1968 as part of Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex, envisaged by Le Corbusier alongside the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Punjab Civil Secretariat and the Assembly building. The Capitol Complex was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016.
Speaking to The Tribune, Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria said the upgrade plan was aimed at ensuring the long-term preservation of the museum’s holdings and the building itself. “The collection here carries national significance and the structure is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. This upgrade plan is about putting in place the storage, climate control and security systems while making the museum more accessible to visitors,” he said.
The DPR now awaits appraisal and approval by the Ministry of Culture before funds are released.
