Governor Urges PSUs to Support Salar Jung Museum Modernisation and Expansion

Hyderabad: Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla has appealed to central and state public sector undertakings (PSUs) to support the modernization and expansion of the Salar Jung Museum as it prepares to celebrate its platinum jubilee year.

Chairing a meeting with representatives of various PSUs at Lok Bhavan on Thursday, the Governor, who is also the chairman of the Museum, discussed plans for the week-long platinum jubilee celebrations scheduled to be held from June 14 to 21. The meeting was attended by special principal secretary to the Governor, M. Dana Kishore and joint secretary Shashikirana Chary.

Shukla said the celebrations to mark the birth anniversary of Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III, will include special exhibitions, cultural programmes, educational initiatives, publications, outreach activities and public participation events.

He said that he has also prepared a comprehensive development plan to transform the museum into a modern institution at international standards within the next five years. He expressed confidence that the central government would support the initiative and appealed to PSUs to contribute through CSR programmes.

Kishore said the state government has taken measures for development and beautification of Musi river banks. The Telangana High Court stated that plans are being prepared to develop the areas comprising Salar Jung Museum and Osmania General Hospital as heritage corridors.

Responding to the governor’s call, PSU representatives assured that they would explore ways to partner with the Museum’s modernization and expansion programs.

At the meeting, Museum officials made a presentation on the future development road map of the museum. They have proposed works to improve galleries, storage facilities and conservation infrastructure at a cost of ₹ 25 – 35 crore over the next five years. Proposed initiatives include improving galleries, expanding educational programs, modernizing conservation laboratories, improving visitor services and increasing public amenities.

Museum officials have also suggested setting up a special Telangana heritage wing at an estimated cost of ₹ 85 crore to showcase the rich historical and cultural heritage of the state.

Among those present at the meeting were Bharat Dynamics Limited managing director Vinod Kumar, NMDC managing director P. Jayaprakash, Hudco regional chief P. Subhash Reddy, NTPC AGM, Akhil, Power Grid Corporation CGM Domman Yadav, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited managing director, Ram Mohan Rao, GAIL regional CGM Dev Kant, Indian Oil Corporation CGM (Operations Suraj Patnaik, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited representative). Tonesh Chaturvedi and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited CGM Sushil Kumar Roy among others.