New Delhi: Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Wednesday signed an MoU with Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) to set up a museum at the recently restored Lahori Gate Haveli in Old Delhi, paving the way for its development and operation as a heritage facility.The museum will document Delhi’s history and showcase rare artefacts, paintings, photographs and archival material linked to its legacy, including Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Town Hall, traditional havelis and places of worship.Under the agreement, which came after MCD’s heritage cell obtained necessary approvals, IGNCA will take over the restored site within a month and deploy staff and security personnel. It will operate and maintain the facility for five years. MCD will bear the electricity cost for the first three months, after which it will be borne by IGNCA, said officials.“The museum is expected to have galleries showcasing Delhi’s history, archaeology, stories and interesting facts about the city. Efforts will be made to mobilise CSR funding and make the museum operational within six months. Heritage walks in and around the area will be organised,” the officials added.IGNCA, which has also restored a substantial collection of historical objects, records, artefacts and documents associated with MCD’s legacy since 2024, said this material could be displayed at the museum with MCD’s approval.The building has a first floor and a courtyard, and the agency will also set up a cafeteria and sitting zone for the public.Lahori Gate Haveli, located at Vasudev Captain Chowk at the intersection of Khari Baoli and Naya Bazaar, is owned by the corporation. Built in 1929, it initially housed a single-room dispensary that continued to function until 2003. The structure was restored last year.In 2017, ministry of culture sanctioned financial assistance under its museum grant scheme for setting up Shahjahanabad Museum at Lahori Gate Chowk. Around Rs 41 lakh was spent on its external development and Rs 2.6 crore on internal civil works and finishing, the officials said.The project was revived after MCD dropped its earlier proposal to establish a museum at Press Building adjoining the historic Town Hall. The plan was shelved after Delhi govt decided to redevelop the entire Town Hall complex as a public space focused on recreation and public engagement.
