The Bhau Daji Lad Museum at Byculla Zoo is all set to get a `55-crore expansion, thanks to the BMC. The civic body’s expansion plan aims at raising the oldest museum in the city to international standards.
“Several major international cities like Singapore, Shanghai and London have state-of-the-art museums, which play an important role in attracting tourists and boosting their economy. Keeping this in mind, we have decided to expand the Bhau Daji Lad Museum,” said civic standing committee chairman Rahul Shewale.
The highlights of the expansion plan include an exhibition gallery, souvenir shops, a heritage conservation laboratory, an interpretation centre and seminar halls. The expansion will be carried out on the 50,000 sq. ft area behind the museum. “A reputed architect will soon be appointed to make a design model for expansion. The project will be completed by the year 2015,” said Mr Shewale.
The cost of the expansion project will be shared between the Central government, the BMC and the Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (Intach) Trust, which
runs and maintains the museum. The Centre has agreed to give `5 crore, while the civic body and Intach will contribute `25 crore each.
The museum, which was established in 1872 as the erstwhile Victoria and Albert Museum, receives 1.5 lakh visitors every year. Its collection includes decorative arts of the country, as well as the life and history of 19th century Mumbai.