The construction of the prestigious Coastal Museum on the premises of the 127-year-old Victoria Museum on M.G. Road will start only after the new government gives its nod for works.
According to officials, the proposed structure, once completed, will be the biggest museum in residuary Andhra Pradesh. Tenders were called a few months ago for work, which is estimated to cost Rs. 5 crore. As officials began to remove some ancient trees on the premises as part of the project, the district administration directed them to stop work immediately.
In fact, the district administration, took the decision taking serious note of public opposition to felling of trees by the museum authorities. Meanwhile, officials have identified decades-old trees on the premises of the existing museum to be removed to make space for nearly 1,500 yards for the new block. Five trees have already been chopped off, while seven are left.
“We took up work only after getting clearance from all departments concerned, but we were asked to stop it. We are looking forward to a positive response once the new government takes over,” says a senior official.
Interestingly, the new building will be three times bigger than the present one, and it will house separate galleries to display coins used by various dynasties, besides paintings and stone-carvings.
Bronze sculptures, clothes used during the Mughal period, epigraphy section containing stones, label inscriptions, copper plates and ancient scripts will also be displayed. Weapons used during the Vijayanagara and Nizam eras will also be an added attraction. Says State Archaeology and Museums Assistant Director K. Chitti Babu, “The Forest Department gave us permission to cut trees only after we gave an undertaking that we will plant two saplings for every tree felled, but work was stopped owing to some reasons.”
