Public demands early opening of new government museum building in Salem

Residents eagerly await the opening of the new government museum in Hasthampatti, showcasing diverse historical artifacts from Salem district.

Residents have called for the swift opening of the newly constructed government museum building at Hasthampatti, built at a cost of ₹5 crore.

Originally established in 1976 through public initiative, the first to do so, the Salem district government museum has operated out of various rented premises over the years and is currently located on Sarada College Road within the Salem Corporation limits.

The museum features a diverse collection that includes sculptures, ancient weapons, musical instruments, and paintings. It prominently showcases hero stones that depict the brave acts of warriors and chieftains who once ruled the Salem district. Among the exhibits are sculptures from the Pallava, Chola, and Vijayanagara periods. A notable piece is the 12th-century Parsvanatha sculpture, which highlights the prevalence of Jainism in the Salem district. Additionally, the museum displays an array of artifacts such as coins, foreign currency, stamps, and tools from the Old Stone Age and New Stone Age, which have been sourced from the Shevroyan Hills and Kolli Hills.

Lacking a permanent facility, the museum has been relocated three times. In response to repeated requests from the public and historians, the Tamil Nadu government in 2023 announced the construction of a permanent museum building in Hasthampatti. The project, undertaken at a cost of ₹5 crore, began last year and is now nearing completion.

The public is urging the authorities to expedite the final works and open the museum to visitors. Officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) confirmed that the main construction is complete, with only minor finishing work remaining. The Museum Department has reportedly sent a request for permission to shift the exhibits to the new premises. Once approval is granted, the relocation will begin, and the museum is expected to open within two weeks, officials said.