Excavation layout of Patna Museum ready

PATNA: As the modernization, renovation and extension work of Patna Museum is in full swing, the officials concerned have made a proper layout for the archaeological excavation of the premises, which will begin soon. The excavation programme was inaugurated by CM Nitish Kumar on May 2.
Vimal Tiwari, additional director of the museum, said the extension layout of the premises was drawn from eastern side to southern area. “The excavation work will begin soon from a garden near the main gate for which we have already got the licence from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). As per the plan, we have made 10/10-metre trenches and excavation will be carried out accordingly. We will expand the area based on our findings,” he said.
Earlier in 1996, terracotta potteries and small balls dating 2500-3,000 years back were found near the main gate during the construction of a fountain on the premises. “Since then, no excavation has been carried out there. The discovered potteries and small balls have been kept in a gallery,” said Shankar Suman, the curator.
The physical work on extension of museum is nearing completion while the renovation work of British-era building will start from June. The building construction department has constructed a G+1 structure in U-shape covering left, right and backside of the old building. It has been built over an area of 7,078 square metre.
The new building will house two audiovisual galleries on the theme of ‘Origin of Ganga’, showing the evolution of civilization on the banks of the river and ‘Patliputra’ to highlight the emergence of city on the shores of the Ganga. It will have an office space, reception area, auditorium exhibit area, conference hall, orientation room and storerooms.
Tiwari said the old structure will be conserved. “We have to shift all the exhibits, antiques and art objects to the new building’s storage room by packing them properly. Once the renovation work of the entire inner structure (including rooftop treatment) begins, the museum will be closed for visitors from June. Once the work is completed, the museum will have a new design of galleries and display area,” he told TOI on Tuesday.