Nizam's jewellery show likely from Nov. 1

By J.S.Ifthekhar

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 3. The Salar Jung Museum is gearing up for the dazzling display of Nizam's jewellery. Unprecedented security measures are being planned for showcasing the fabulous collection valued anywhere between Rs. 1,870 crores and Rs. 2,500 crores.

The Eastern Block of the museum is being fortified with iron grills. Inside, a strong room is under construction with double walls all around, obviously to store the priceless jewellery. The services of the Godrej Company have been requisitioned for this purpose. Mr. Vaidyanathan Aiyer, Secretary, Department of Culture, who was here some time ago, is believed to have selected the Eastern Block.

The SJM authorities, however, are keeping everything under wraps. They are unwilling to even disclose which part of the museum will display the jewellery. "We are taking adequate security measures" is all that the Director, Dr. A.K.V.S. Reddy, would say.

The State Government plans to exhibit the royal treasure from November 1 - coinciding with the A.P. Formation Day. But this would depend on Delhi's National Museum not extending the ongoing jewellery exhibition beyond six weeks. In case the exhibition in Delhi is further extended, Hyderabadis will have to bide their time to set eyes on the "Shahi zevarat".

However, the authorities here are preparing for the task ahead. An SJM team, including its Director and others connected with security and display, will be leaving for Delhi next week to see the arrangements at the National Museum where the jewellery show began on August 29.

At present, 90 men of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) guard the Salar Jung Museum round the clock. The CISF is expected to draft additional guards for the "internal security duty" for the Nizam jewellery exhibition. For several years the museum security has been handled by a group of ex-servicemen. But after the theft of rare objects, the Government of India ordered the CISF to take over the security of the museum in 1996. The museum has smoke detectors and burglar alarms installed for important galleries like the one housing the jade collection. Close circuit TVs are also installed in some galleries. But all this is not considered enough to safeguard the Nizam's jewellery.

The SJM authorities do not want to take any chances about possible "jewel thieves." They will be asking the city Police Commissioner to make a survey of the 10-acre expanse of the museum and identify security leaks, if any. Various measures, including diversion of vehicular traffic between the Dar-us-Shifa and Nayapul stretch is being thought of. No vehicle will be allowed to be parked on this road. Visitors to the museum and their vehicles will be subjected to stringent security check. Even the museum staff will be frisked thoroughly.

The rush of art and jewellery lovers to the exhibition is expected to be much more here since the treasure belongs to Hyderabad. The museum will have advance booking with timings printed on the tickets. At a time 50 persons will be allowed inside the gallery for half-an-hour viewing. The entry ticket will be priced at Rs. 50 for adults and Rs. 25 for children. Foreigners will be charged Rs. 500.

The museum is planning to go for fibre optic lights and special kind of display cases for the 173 precious stones.

Tenders will be floated shortly for this purpose. During the exhibition, the museum plans to release CDs on the Nizam's jewellery.

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