Bhubaneswar: The state government has put officials of different departments and agencies on their toes as it bids to showcase the new Odisha Crafts Museum.

While reviewing the facilities, the government has assigned duties to respective departments and agencies to make attempts to add certain components and also popularise the museum in a grand manner.

To begin with, the government has decided to put up a separate gallery for Lord Jagannath and his culture inside the museum,. The gallery will be designed and set up by the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration. There will also be a cafeteria and an ATM.

There will also be a gallery to display the attires of Odisha's different dance forms - Odissi, mahari, and gotipua. There will be a conservation laboratory for these costumes as well. The Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation and the handloom and handicraft department will commission the job.

The culture department will design theme-based cultural programmes at the museum on specific dates.

For wider branding, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and the handloom and handicraft department have been directed to prepare brochures and put up standees at schools, colleges, offices and hotels. The works department will put up directional and informational signage at strategic locations, while the civic body will develop a common ticketing system for all museums, including the state museum and the tribal museum.

"The craft museum is a one-of-its-kind facility in Odisha. Visitors will love it and we are working out to make it more popular and equip it with better facility for greater experience," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.

The government has also directed the school and mass education and the higher education departments to organise compulsory museum visits for school and college students in the city.

"The museum reminds us of our rich culture and it should be taught to our younger generations," said social worker Alok Kar.