The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to approve the ambitious idea to develop a ‘Yuge Yugeen Bharat’ Museum at the historic North and South Block complex in New Delhi. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 3,230 crore, it will be an integrated project that will display the rich cultural diversity, civilisational wealth and heritage of India in tangible and intangible as one.
The museum will be built through adaptively reusing the historic buildings North Block and South Block, according to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). The aim of the initiative is to retain the architectural character and heritage value of these iconic structures and to make them a large scale public cultural centre.
The museum, which covers a proposed site in a built-up space of roughly 178,509 square metres will be integrated with contemporary methods of exhibition, immersive technologies and visitors’ experiences. It is being planned as a landmark Institution to showcase the journey of India’s Civilisation through themed galleries, exhibitions and curated collections.
Adopting the example of prominent international museums, the museum Yuge Yugeen Bharat is to be as large as possible. It will include the cultural traditions of India, systems of knowledge, arts and its historical achievements of India, which is diverse in nature.
The project features gallery development, collection storage, conservation facilities, visitor facilities, landscaping, intelligent building systems and advanced technological infrastructure. It will also apply international good practices and standards in museum planning, the conservation of heritage and sustainable cultural management.
On 18th May 2023, the prime minister, Narendra Modi, initially announced the museum project. The implementation of the CCEA will be done in phases starting from FY 2026-27 till FY 2030-31, according to CCEA.
The first gallery, ‘Adornment’, is expected to open to the public in the North Block in the latter part of 2027.
The museum’s design is designed to welcome some 1 crore visitors per year. It will cater to students, researchers, scholars, cultural practitioners and domestic as well as international tourists.
The institution is expected to also continue to profit from ticket sales, guided tours, events, food & beverage facilities, retail spaces, and digital experiences as well as from renting of space for events.
When government buildings are relocated, the North and South Block buildings, built in 1912 to 1931 as part of British India’s new capital, will be given a new life for the public and culture.