The Mughal Museum and the Taj Orientation Centre at Agra which got the nod from the Cabinet on Tuesday will be developed as a state of the Art Museum and Centre for both the international and the domestic tourists.
Joint Secretary Tourism PK Singh while talking to “The Pioneer” on Thursday said that the museum will give the detailed history of how the Taj Mahal monument was built.
Giving the details of the museum, Singh said that it will be built on a 5.9 acre land which is situated at a distance of 1300 metres from the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal monument. “The main aim of having the museum is that it will give the detailed history of the monument and how it was built. There will be sections in the museum which will depict craftsman showing how the work was carried out. This will give a holistic view of the Taj Mahal monument” said the Joint Director. He said that the Rajkiye Nirman Nigam will be constructing agency for the museum. “A proposal of Rs 157.99 crores for the construction of the museum had been sent to the Expenditure Finance Committee which has slashed it down to Rs 129.66 crores” said Singh.
The Joint Director Tourism said that a committee will be established consisting of international experts who will decide what arte facts will be displayed at the museum. The museum will have corporate flooring, suspended spider glazing system, fabric wall paneling, marble stone jallis, wooden ceiling and red sand stone flooring.
The Joint Director said that Committees will also be formed to monitor the construction of the museum. “At the State level a committee headed by the Chief Secretary will monitor the construction of the Museum and at the city level the Commissioner of Agra will monitor the construction under a separate committee” said Singh. The land for the project which comes under the State Electricity Department will be transferred to the Tourism Department free of cost.
As regards the Taj Orientation Centre which will also be constructed at a distance of 900 metres from the Eastern Gate of the Taj Mahal, Singh said that the structures which were constructed to the east of the Shilpgram will be dismantled. The Taj Orientation Centre will also be planned and designed as a state of the art product which will give platform to artists of the international level. He said that the proposed budget for the project is RS 228.47 crores and through this centre the domestic and the international tourists will given superior infrastructural facilities. The official said that the projects have been moved for release of funds.