‘T’malai museum to be opened before March next’

Interacting with the media after inspecting the site where the museum will come up, Pandiarajan said the museum would be spread over 23,000 square feet. A similar history centre is also on the anvil in Theni district, he added. He said that schools have been told take their students on a visit to the nearest museum to learn from the exhibits. After such visits, children would be tested to see if they have gained knowledge, he added.

The new museums would focus on seven aspects of history, including the economic, political, social and cultural history of their locations, the Minister said. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami would this week inaugurate a fossil/dinosaur museum at Ariyalur, he added.

Similar to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertaking renovation of the Gingee fort in Villupuram district at an estimated Rs. 10 crore, the State government has planned to renovate 12 forts, including the Panjalankurichi fort in Tirunelveli district and convert them into tourist centres.

Stating that site museums would come up shortly at Keezhadi, Korkai, Adhichanallur and Azhagankulam, Pandiarajan said simultaneous excavations being undertaken at Pattaraiperumbudur and Kodumalai signified the historical importance of such locations. While the renovated national art gallery in the State would be opened to the public in two weeks, a Rs.136-crore echo museum of international standards was also on the anvil, Pandiarajan said.