Nehru Children's Museum to shut from August 16; director proposes renaming it after Syama Prasad Mookerjee

The Nehru Children's Museum in Kolkata will remain closed indefinitely from August 16 due to the urgent need to upgrade its fire safety system. Museum authorities said the existing fire safety infrastructure has become outdated and requires immediate renovation to ensure visitor safety. Director Sudip Srimal also proposed that the state government take over the institution and rename it the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Children's Museum.

According to museum authorities, a third-party survey found that the fire safety system requires maintenance costing approximately ₹50 lakh. Museum Secretary Indrani Sengupta said the institution is unable to bear the cost and has informed the Chief Minister and other ministers about the financial requirement. Sudip Srimal said that government control of the museum would ensure adequate funding and reiterated his proposal to rename the institution after Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

The museum is managed by the National Cultural Association and is located on land leased for 99 years from December 22, 1966. It was inaugurated on November 14, 1972, by the then Chief Minister Siddhartha Shankar Ray. The museum houses the Ganesh Gallery, which features more than 1,100 dolls and around 300 statues from 96 countries. Museum authorities said approximately 1.9 crore visitors have visited the institution since its opening. Indrani Sengupta stated that the museum would close after the completion of its pre-scheduled programmes, as the management was unwilling to compromise on the safety of children and visitors.