PATNA MUSEUM

BIHAR MUSEUM

The art, culture and youth affairs department has commenced a survey of state-owned museums in different districts to undertake required repair and amenity augmentation work.

The survey is being done following accusations on the utility of Bihar Museum developed using Rs 530 crore though several existing museums are lying in dilapidated condition.

The museums being surveyed under the ongoing exercise, include those at Jamui, Munger, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Nawada, Chhapra, Hajipur, Buxar and Madhubani among others. The department is sending officials, including curators to conduct the survey and the corresponding reports would be compiled by the end of this month.

"We are reviewing the museums on various parameters, including structural safety, cleanliness, condition of exhibits, storage, usage of electronic equipment and visitors' feedback among others. We would submit our reports by the end of September," said an official involved in the survey.

The need for upkeep of museums came to the fore with a public interest litigation filed at Patna High Court earlier this year filed by one Ashok Kumar. The PIL questioned the utility of constructing Bihar Museum utilising funds to the tune of Rs 530 crore when several other museums required immediate repair.

According to records with the art, culture and youth affairs department, a total of 17 museums are owned by the state government, including Patna Museum, Chandradhari Museum (Darbhanga), Gaya Museum, Naradah Museum (Nawada), Maharaja Lakshmishwar Singh Museum (Darbhanga) and Chandra Shekhar Singh Museum (Jamui) among others.

"A new building has been constructed at Jamui Museum and the antiquities are being shifted in it at present. Several minor maintenance works, including whitewash, are required at the museums in Begusarai and Munger. The museum in Bhagalpur is faced with encroachment issues as some areas in it are occupied by a few government agencies," said the surveying official.

Most museums being surveyed under the present exercise are more than 30 years old. For instance, Bhagalpur Museum was established in 1976, Nawada Museum started in 1974, Gaya Museum in 1970 and Begusarai Museum in 1981.

"The structure of most museums seems fine but there is a need of minor maintenance works such as white-washing and patchwork among others. Besides, several amenities, including water-coolers and repair of toilets, are required at other museums," said the surveying official.

Experts have hailed the survey move of the museums but emphasised the need of experts for the same.

"The upkeep at most museums has been below the set standards and dearth of manpower has been one of the biggest problems. There are several incidents where a single official is looking after two to three museums. Besides, the display and conservation of antiquities is also not done properly at a number of museums. Thus, the survey of the museums by the state government is a welcome step," said Jai Deo Mishra, a professor at the department of ancient history and archaeology at Patna University

Sources said the department was also in the process of preparing a master plan for renovation of Gaya and Darbhanga museums.