The iconic North and South Blocks in New Delhi are set to be transformed into the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum as part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. The museum will span approximately 1.55 lakh square meters, making it one of the largest museums globally. The Ministry of Culture has partnered with France Museums Dรฉveloppement (FMD) to develop the museum, leveraging France’s expertise in museum design and management.
The museum will feature immersive indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces, with a total gallery area of 60,000 sqm. The space will include visitor services, educational spaces, library, auditoriums, conference halls, performance area, collection storage, and conservation laboratories. The museum is expected to house over 25,000 artifacts, including iconic pieces like the Indus Valley Terracotta Hourglass and Chola-period Nataraja Bronze.
The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has launched bids to restore the North Block, which is expected to be completed in two years. The ministries operating from the North Block will shift to the new Common Central Secretariat (CCS) Building 3. The government expects an estimated 10 million visitors to the museum every year.
The project involves the adaptive reuse and transformation of the early 20th-century Blocks into museum spaces. The ministry will engage a consultant to develop a detailed functional programme to ensure seamless integration between architectural design, exhibition design, and visitor experience.
Image Courtesy: The New Indian Express
