French museum in Chandannagar reopens with its false ceiling missing as ASI delays restoration
The French Museum in Chandannagar, which had to shut down late last year when its false ceilings collapsed twice, has once again reopened for the public with the ceiling missing, because the Archaeological Survey of India is yet to begin restoration due to lack of funds. But what the museum has got, for the first time, is CCTV cameras — 61 of them in all — given to it by the West Bengal government.
The museum is located in a 1740-built structure called Institut de Chandernagor, popularly known as Dupleix House, where Joseph Francois Dupleix lived as the governor-general when Chandannagar was a French colony. The maintenance of the property — which includes a history library and also a wing where French is taught — is the responsibility of the ASI, whereas the functioning comes under the State Government.
The first crash happened in October 2024 during the Durga Puja holidays and the second one on November 26, when there were visitors. On both occasions, the artefacts on display had a miraculous escape. Ever since then, ASI officials have been visiting the site and expressing concern; they even considered temporarily shifting the museum to carry out repair work, but no action has been taken so far. No one states it officially but the reason behind this delay is said to be lack of funds. As a result of which, the museum has reopened without repairs.
'We reopened in March 2025, once the false ceiling was fully removed. The artefacts have been placed in more or less their former positions. I wish some repair work was done before the monsoon set in, but we need to keep our activities alive. The number of visitors is quite high these days, sometimes it even touches 200, especially on Sundays,' Basabi Pal, director of the institute since 2022, told The Hindu.
While her wait continues for the restoration of the property by the ASI, the State Government was quick enough to agree to her request for CCTV cameras, something the heritage building never had so far. 'Ever since I joined here, I was very keen on having CCTV cameras installed. I sent a proposal to the Department of Higher Education (which is responsible for the teaching of French at the institute) and they agreed! Now we have 61 cameras installed in Dupleix House and we can already see the results. Watchmen are more attentive now and unwanted visitors don't walk in like before,' Dr. Pal said.
She said both the Central and State government would do well to come forward to help out in the restoration work and maintenance of artefacts, including the precious Indo-French documents in the library. 'I understand that both the governments are facing a financial crunch, but at least regular visits from higher authorities will be of big help,' the museum director said.
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