Govt museum cuts a poor picture after relocation

By M Bhavani

Coimbatore: The at Semmozhi Park is a picture of neglect. Space crunch is the main issue at the facility that is marred by inappropriate arrangement of artefacts, including sculptures, stone inscriptions and burial urns. Unfinished work is another matter of concern at the museum, forcing the staff to leave ancient sculptures unattended.

The museum was earlier located at the Nehru Stadium commercial complex near VOC park. It was moved to Semmozhi Park in March this year, after the footfall shrank to about 20 to 25 per day following the closure of VOC Zoo.

While the number of visitors to the museum gradually increased after its relocation to Semozhi Park, the facilities are far from satisfying to them.

The museum exhibits 200-year-old burial urns, a bull skeleton, animal fetuses, palm leaf manuscripts, wooden carvings, megalithic coins and many other artefacts.

When TOI visited the museum on Thursday, many sculptures of historic value were found lying neglected on the corridor of the ticket counter. Not many visitors were aware of the museum as it lacked a proper indication.

The displayed items had no name boards or descriptions of their origin, age, or identity, leaving the visitors clueless.

According to a museum staff member, the contractor left the museum unfinished after receiving the payment. The staff said, “Due to the lack of space, some of the artefacts are still left at the earlier facility at the Nehru Stadium commercial complex. The installation of description was also part of the contract, which is still pending.”

When contacted, corporation commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran said the allocated space was inspected and finalized by the museum officials. “We initially offered them an option to develop the museum through our contractor, but they opted for a separate contractor in their department who has now left the work unfinished. There is so much space available, and the setting inside is not organized. Since they have come up with a last-minute request for additional space, we could only allot space at the rear side of the museum, for which they have to submit a separate estimate.”