India news : Modi government approves $340 million museum in Delhi

The Indian government has given the green light to construct a colossal museum in the heart of New Delhi, with an estimated cost of $340 million (€306 million). Dubbed the "Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum," it aims to claim the title of the world's largest museum by display area. Originating from Sanskrit, the museum's name translates to "India through the ages." The government claims it will be a landmark museum showcasing India's rich history and civilization, spanning thousands of years.

The museum will be built within the century-old North and South Blocks in New Delhi's Raisina Hills, the seat of the Indian government. These colonial-era buildings, which once housed government offices including Prime Minister Narendra Modi's, have been vacated recently as part of the Modi administration's redesign of India's political power hub.

Modi expressed his enthusiasm for the project, calling it a "magnificent celebration" of India's civilizational journey. The museum will feature galleries dedicated to ancient knowledge systems, mathematics, astronomy, architecture, art, languages, and spirituality, presenting them through immersive experiences.

With an area of approximately 178,509 square meters, the museum is projected to attract around 10 million visitors annually. While the project's completion is expected by 2030-2031, the first gallery focusing on "adornment" will open to the public next year. The government has identified nearly 1.8 million objects from national and state museums, archaeological collections, and private collections for potential display.