BBMP’s new address is Freedom Park Museum!

BBMP’s new address is Freedom Park Museum!
Many offices of the Corporation, including the horticulture dept, are at present housed inside the museum. The reason: Lack of space
Suchith.Kidiyoor @timesgroup.com


Citing a lack of space, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials have converted the museum at Freedom Park (the erstwhile administrative block of Bangalore Central Jail) into an office!
When the Freedom Park Museum was inaugurated, BBMP had announced that the administrative building of the erstwhile jail would be converted into a museum, showcasing the antiquated equipment used by the British in jails built by them, in various parts of the state. Once the park was inaugurated, the Corporation put photos and paintings of historical importance related to life in the jail, on display. But now, many offices of the BBMP, including the horticulture department, are housed inside the museum.
BBMP has plans to display rare articles available in jails across the state, built by pre-independent India, in the museum. An official of the BBMP said, “BBMP had asked India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) to prepare a plan for the display of such articles. The IFA after touring all the district jails in the state, came up with a list of articles available which
could be displayed in the museum. The proposal which has been sent to the Commissioner has to receive the approval of the BBMP Council.”
BBMP had developed the park spread over 21 acres of land by spending Rs 17.35 crore. The park was inaugurated by BJP leader L K Advani who was imprisoned in the jail during the emergency.
Commenting on the usage of the museum for official purposes, joint director (parks), BBMP, A Narayanaswamy, said, “A building which will house our offices is under construction at the BBMP's head office premises. Once it is ready, we will shift from here. Till then, this museum is our office.”