C Lalsota (left), the principal secretary of art, culture and youth affairs, hands over the MoU to Barry Lord, the chief of Lord Cultural Resources, on Wednesday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, July 13: The Nitish Kumar government’s plans to gift the state capital a new international museum got a leap today, as the government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Canadian firm, which will design it.

The state government has selected Toronto-based firm Lord Cultural Resources, which has designed more than 1,800 museums over the world, including National September 11 Memorial & Museum, New York, National Museum of Singapore, Lord King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture at Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, and West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong.

The international museum will come up in the next four years on the southern flank of Bailey Road between LN Mishra Institute and Dharna Chowk railway crossing.

Lord Cultural Resources chief Barry Lord and principal secretary of art, culture and youth affairs C. Lalsota signed the MoU today at the New Secretariat.

Spread over an area of around 13 acres, the museum that will be built according to world-class standards will reflect Bihar’s contribution to the world civilisation. At present, five government bungalows, which are located on the land earmarked for the proposed museum, will be demolished to make way for the project.

According to terms of the MoU, the state government will spend Rs 4.3 crore on the museum’s design, which will not include the museum’s construction.

Dwivedi said: “The theme of the museum will be Bihar’s contribution to the history of the world civilisation, as Vaishali in Bihar was the first democracy in the world.” Nalanda and Vikramshila will also be reflected in the new museum.

Dwivedi added that although few rare sculptures and statues will be shifted from Patna Museum to the international museum, there is no plan to shift Patna Museum from its spot.

He said: “The new museum will match world-class standards. There will be separate rooms to reflect the state’s rich history and tradition. The museum will also have separate rooms for children, where art pieces to interest them, will be housed.”

The new museum will also be equipped with latest gadgets and signboards in English, Hindi and other languages will be in place to help visitors.