Express News Service
NEW DELHI: Considering the ‘unsatisfactory’ response to the proposal for creation of a state-of-the-art ‘centralised storage’ for about 1.95 lakh antiquities and artefacts in possession of the National Museum here, the Union culture ministry is likely to reissue a fresh expression of interest (EoI) to draw up the project outline and conceptual design of the storage facility.
Senior officials privy to the development said only two agencies had sent their bids, which were found to be unsatisfactory. “The response is not up to the mark. We hadn’t expected this. We are left with no option but go for the fresh bidding,” said an official.
As part of the Central Vista redevelopment project, the museum is proposed to be relocated to the North and South blocks, where only 8,000-10,000 objects will be placed for public viewing. Hence, the government wants to set up a centralised facility, delinking it from the museum, with a customised storage system for different antiquities and artefacts.
The facility, to be built on international standards similar to the repositories in Germany, Hungary, and France, is proposed to be built in the national capital region (NCR) or on the outskirts for which the land is yet to be identified, the officials said.
