The first phase of what is poised to become the world's largest museum is set to open its doors in the heart of the national capital by the end of this year. The inaugural gallery of the ambitious 'Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum' will be unveiled in the historic North Block, marking the beginning of a transformative cultural project.
A Monumental Vision for India's Heritage
When fully completed over the next three years, the museum will sprawl across the iconic North and South Blocks on Kartavya Path, covering a massive area of approximately 1.55 lakh square metres. This space was formerly occupied by key ministries, including Finance, Home Affairs, External Affairs, and the Prime Minister's Office, which have now been relocated. The museum aims to narrate the continuous story of Indian civilization over 5,000 years, from the Indus Valley Civilization to modern India, through the adaptive reuse of these British-era buildings.
Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal revealed to TOI that the museum will host a staggering collection of between 80,000 to 1 lakh items gathered from national, state, and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-run institutions across the country. This collection is being curated from a master list created through an extensive mapping exercise of nearly 20 lakh objects.
Phased Opening and Visitor Experience
The development will occur in phases, with around 30 thematic galleries opening across the two blocks over three years. The total display area will exceed 80,000 square metres. The first gallery, opening later this year, is designed to offer visitors a preview of the museum's grand vision.
Authorities are projecting an annual footfall of up to 10 million visitors once the museum is fully operational. To manage this seamlessly without disrupting the security protocols of Kartavya Path, plans are underway to connect the North and South Blocks via an underground tunnel. This subterranean passage is envisioned to be developed into a cultural hub, facilitating easy movement for visitors. Officials, however, clarified that these plans are still being refined and require final design approvals.
Restoration and Logistical Overhaul
A significant restoration effort is currently in progress to return the North Block to its original architectural design. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is working to remove partitions, alterations, and additions made over decades of ministerial use. Meanwhile, the government has almost completed the relocation of ministries to the new Kartavya Bhawan complex, with only a few CBI-attached offices remaining in the North Block, slated to move out soon.
"We want to ensure the experience is seamless and accessible, especially for persons with disabilities, while ensuring that the heritage character of the area and buildings is not disturbed at all," emphasized Culture Secretary Aggarwal. This project represents not just the creation of a museum, but the rebirth of India's power corridor into its premier cultural corridor, celebrating the nation's timeless and diverse journey.
