NDMC unveils Gole Market’s Veerangana Museum blueprint

New Delhi: New Delhi Municipal Council’s (NDMC) Gole Market redevelopment project is unlikely to open to the public before the end of this year, even if it is completed by the end of September, the latest deadline given by the civic body.The delay is because NDMC has invited bids to appoint a specialised agency to develop a storyline, curatorial narrative, research and exhibition content for the proposed Veerangana Museum of Women, which will be located at the heritage market. The selected consultant will have four months to draw up the concept of the museum, after which NDMC will review and approve it.Sharing the details of the museum for the first time, NDMC said it will comprise eight galleries of approximately 750 square feet each, a 750 sq ft souvenir shop and a 1,500 sq ft multipurpose hall for temporary exhibitions.

“The galleries will cover multiple themes, such as women’s contribution to India; women in ancient, medieval, colonial and modern India; their movements for justice and empowerment; personal voices through letters and diaries; women breaking social norms and redefining labour; and stories of empowered women in contemporary society,” according to the council.The proposal emphasises that notable as well as lesser-known women from different regions, communities, professions and historical periods should get balanced representation at the museum.

The restoration of Gole Market, a heritage structure, has been pending since 2006, despite an administrative approval and a financial sanction of Rs 6.3 crore granted in September that year.The project saw renewed discussions in June 2018, when it was decided to take up the work in phases to ensure smooth implementation. The issue of pedestrian access was examined and a composite proposal, including a subway, was later prepared at Rs 26.7 crore and placed before NDMC in Dec 2020. However, it was rejected. Finally, the proposal received was approved in 2022 and work started the next year. This May 29, a TOI piece explained how the ambitious redevelopment has faced multiple setbacks.According to NDMC, the agency appointed to decide the theme for the museum will also create its overall narrative, curatorial vision and thematic framework. “Prior to this, the agency will conduct extensive historical and archival research, develop gallery-wise storylines and produce engaging, visitor-friendly content for students, families, scholars, tourists, and the general public,” stated the council in its tender document.

“We expect interested agencies to study Gole Market’s heritage context before submitting their proposals,” said the council.During the four-month assignment, the consultant will need to strictly follow NDMC’s administrative guidelines for research, documentation and coordination with stakeholders to create an engaging experience for visitors.“The comprehensive report delivered at the end of four months will include a curatorial vision note, research dossier, bibliography, gallery-wise content matrix, storyline, text for exhibits, audio-visual script briefs and a final content package. Content generation for multimedia installations will be undertaken after the narrative is approved,” mentioned the council in its request inviting proposals from such agencies.