Mumbai's double decker may get permanent place in Gurugram museum

A Mumbai doubledecker may possibly find its way to the Heritage Transport Museum at Gurugram in Haryana Following a story by midday the transport museum has written to the BEST undertaking appealing them to hand over one doubledecker bus to the museum for display being a significant part of Mumbairsquos transport historyA peep at what the museum is aboutA Western Railwayrsquos Royal Saloon from the 1930s a running steam locomotive vintage cars and planes the Heritage Transport Museum at Tarau in Gurugramis a transport enthusiastsrsquo dream come true This museum is dedicated extensively to all kinds of transport of this scale is not to be found anywhere else in India If things go right Mumbairsquos iconic doubledecker bus will soon join this prestigious bandwagonSituated on a threeacre plot off National Highway 8 at TauruGurugram with a builtup area of over 90000 square feet and the airconditioned space spread over four floors houses the exhibition galleries library and reference centre conference rooms mini auditorium the museum shop and a restaurant facility The museum showcases the evolution of transportation in IndialdquoIt sets a benchmark in interpretation exhibition and in communication As the first private museum of its scale in India it is conceived as a didactic space that engages visitor participation in learning while remaining a family experiencerdquo says founder Tarun ThakralThakral has written a formal request letter to BEST general manager to hand over one doubledecker bus for permanent display at the museum Modelled on the lines of the iconic red London doubledecker buses the buses were introduced in Bombay now Mumbai in 1937 and have stayed on The BEST undertaking has now over a period of next one year taken 60 of these buses half the existing fleet of 120 buses for scrap as their life is overJung and Kerr Stuart steam locomotivesThe museum promises to be an outoftheworld experience for every visitor and there are sections that one cannot even imagine For example there is a Bollywood section that displays cars used in Indian cinema and many such thingsThe automobile gallery showcases the evolution of the Indian car industry as well as cars that have been used in India since the advent of motoring The railway section explores the grandeur of travel by rail through a historically inspired railway platform and a 1930s restored railway saloon from Bombay Baroda and Central India Railway BBampCIR now Western RailwayThe aviation section details the history and evolution of the Indian aviation industry including early trials and experiments and the history and growth of Air India Also on display are early models of aircraft used in India supported by original posters timetables tickets and advertisements Designed like a bus depot the heavy mechanised transport section showcases the romance of bus journeys with a display of restored busesIt has some rare exhibits like Tram car number 204 acquired from Calcutta Tramways in September 2017 It is one of the last few surviving woodbodied tramsOf live steam the museum has acquired and restored a 1953 Jung Steam locomotive giving Gurgaon its first fullyoperational steam engineldquoCuriosity the passion to collect homogenous objects the search for the rare unique and often elusive is what impassions all collectors This is where it all started for the Heritage Transportation Trust Registered under the Indian Trust Act 1882 as a nonprofit organisation it was conceived to document exhibit educate and disseminate information about transportation In collaboration with five other trustees we have brought together a passion for collecting all forms of objects related to transportation in India After over two decades of research about the evolution of the modes of transportation that formed the plinth of the collection in possession of the Trust the Heritage Transport Museum was initiated as Indiarsquos first comprehensive transport museumrdquo Thakral saidThakral originally had been a car collector and started collecting cars in 1994 but then decided to build a museum and show his cars to the public But then instead of just being a museum for his cars he conceived this exceptional Heritage Transport Museum Check out hereKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest news