from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Nov 7: Different artifacts and valuable items seized during anti-smuggling operations by customs and central excise since its inception would be on display in a specially designed new national museum in Goa, officials said.

“The Portuguese era building, located opposite Mandovi river in Panaji, which was used as a state customs and central excise office would be converted into a museum,” Goa Customs Commissioner Sheo Narayan Singh, stated.

This building, recently painted blue, will also be renovated to make it a national museum, he said. Artifacts and coins confiscated by customs and central excise from all over India throughout its existence will be on display here, Singh added.

Nationally renowned geologist S S Biswas, former director-general of Delhi’s national museum, is appointed as the consultant for the project, he stated.

As customs and central excise has shifted its office to a new building, this age-old building would be entirely converted into a state-of-the-art museum. “All facilities required for tourists would be provided here,” Singh stated.

He said that the building being ideally located in the city will attract domestic and foreign tourists alike.

Singh stated that it is a centrally sponsored project and is being executed with the help of central public works department. “All the characters of this museum will be like any other prime museums in the world,” he added.

Few artifacts which wants restoration would also be taken care of, he said adding the structure would be shaped in such a way that it will become another tourist attraction in the state.