Patna, Nov. 29: Art connoisseurs of the state capital with an interest in artefacts from the Mauryan era have something to cheer about, as the plan for the proposed international museum on Bailey Road has advanced to the next level.

Five short-listed architecture firms made presentations in front of chief secretary Navin Kumar over two days. After the presentations concluded today, it was decided that the state cabinet would take the final decision in the matter.

State human resource development department principal secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, also the nodal officer of the museum project, said: “The five short-listed firms made their presentations in front of the chief secretary on Monday and Tuesday. However, the final decision in this regard will be taken by the cabinet, as the project involves constructing a world-class museum.”

The five short-listed firms include Austria-based Coop Himmelb(l)au with Archohm (Indian partner), London-based Foster and Partners with CP Kukreja & Associates (Indian partner), Japan-based Maki & Associates with Opolis (Indian partner), Norway-based Snohetta with Spacematters (Indian partner) and US-based Studio Daniel Libeskind with Morphogenesis (Indian partner).

Singh, along with his counterparts from the building construction and art, culture and youth affairs departments — Sushil Kumar and C. Lalsota — were also present during the presentations.

Lalsota said the presentations of all the firms were very impressive and there was strong competition among them.

“Apart from their designs, other aspects such as finance would be considered before awarding the project to one of them,” he added.

Sources said the new museum would be constructed over the next four years on a plot between LN Mishra Institute and Hartali Mor on Bailey Road. Five bungalows, owned by the state government and used as official residence, now occupy the plot. These would be demolished.

The theme of the museum would be Bihar’s contribution to world history. It would also showcase the contribution of Nalanda and Vikramshila universities. It had been named New Patliputra Museum. Young visitors to the museum would get special treatment. A separate block has been dedicated to them.

Singh said the construction of the building is likely to start in 2012. It would be completed by 2015.