Patna Museum's Heritage Restoration Nears Completion with Modern Upgrades

Patna Museum's Ambitious Restoration Project Progresses Swiftly

The historic Patna Museum is undergoing a significant transformation as its ambitious restoration and modernisation project moves forward at a rapid pace. Key heritage buildings are set to regain their original grandeur while being equipped with contemporary facilities, ensuring a blend of tradition and modernity.

Conservation Efforts and Traditional Techniques

Under the supervision of the Building Construction Department (BCD), the conservation of century-old heritage structures is being meticulously carried out to preserve authentic architectural features. Traditional materials such as surkhi (brick dust mortar) and lime are being used to ensure compatibility with original construction techniques, preventing any damage to the ancient fabric of the buildings.

Kumar Ravi, Secretary of the BCD, highlighted that the civil construction component is nearing completion, while electrical installations and related internal works are at an advanced stage. Special attention is being paid to the installation of exhibits in the restored heritage sections, alongside detailed concept planning for the displays, he said.

Phased Execution and Modern Additions

The project is being executed in phases. The first phase successfully saw the construction and inauguration of two striking new galleries—Ganga and Patali—within the museum complex. These galleries have already become major attractions among visitors.

As part of the expansion, the museum complex now includes additional modern infrastructure such as:

A 2D theatre
A temporary exhibition hall
Museum offices
A conservation laboratory
A 105-seat auditorium
A state-of-the-art storage repository equipped with advanced technology for preserving artefacts

Ongoing Second Phase and Future Plans

The ongoing second phase focuses on the conservation and restoration of the old heritage building. Work is progressing rapidly, with special precautions taken to avoid damage to the old structures. Surkhi and lime continue to be used to maintain authenticity during preservation.

Internal works for exhibit installation in the old buildings are underway, along with concept planning for the displays. The remaining works are targeted for completion within the next six months.

Enhanced Gallery Displays

Theme-based galleries will be arranged in chronological order according to the history timeline to enhance the display of artefacts. There are eight galleries on the ground floor and eleven on the first floor.

The ground floor includes: