Heritage Transport Museum – One of its kind

By
Apeksha Duhan
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The Heritage Transport Museum of India, Delhi

Trying to figure out where to take your family this weekend? Picnics can get a little too mainstream and dull after a while, we get it. So, if you are looking for the perfect way to plan a one-day excursion, we’ve got you covered!

The Heritage Transport Museum is located a few miles ahead of Gurugram, off NH-8. Spanned across 90,000 square feet, it is a sight to behold. While the location might seem an unlikely choice at first, we assure you, it is worth the trip. Surrounded by fields and quiet landscapes, the museum has plenty of wonders to offer.

From ancient toys, exquisite vintage cars, motorcycles, right down to a 1940s Piper J3C Cub aircraft, this place has it all. And, the best part? You get to delve in all the diversity under one roof! Curious? Well, go and enjoy the first-hand experience yourself.

Location map of Heritage Transport Museum

Location of the Heritage Transport Museum

How to get there?

The Heritage Transport Museum falls in district Nuh of Haryana, about a mile off of NH-8, on the Taoru road. By rough estimates, it is a 2-hour drive from Delhi, and 45 minutes from Gurugram.

Trying to figure out how to reach? Here is all the information you need:

Address: Bilaspur – Taoru Road (Major District Road 132)

Off NH-8 (Bilaspur Chowk), Taoru

Gurgaon (Haryana) 122105

Coordinates: 28°15’8″N 76°55’25″E

Contact information:

Telephone number: +91 11 2371 8100

E-mail: [email protected]

All about the museum

The Heritage Transport Museum was inaugurated in December 2013, by the then Chief Minister of Haryana, Bhupender Singh Hooda. It is the first comprehensive museum of India, focusing on not just one, but rather all aspects of our transportation heritage. Not only that, the museum encompasses different art forms embodied together.

The entire structure is composed of four levels, built in three years’ time. 6 out of the total 15 crore production cost has been borne by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The rest has been contributed by private investors, sponsors, donors etc. The idea behind the museum is of Tarun Thakral, the chief operating officer of Le Meriden, New Delhi. He is himself an enthusiastic collector of valuables, ranging from vintage vehicles to little lamps, typewriters etc.

A walk-through the museum

Going on a Sunday afternoon, one can expect to see a good number of curious visitors strolling around. There is ample greenery inside the premises, and some people choose to sit down in leisure and enjoy before heading inside the main building.

Old, restored train engines mark the entrance of the building, along with a tram where many like to sit inside and pose for cameras. Vintage cars, jeeps, and even a traditional Mumbai taxi stand lined up on one side. On the other are some quirky Nano cars beautifully forming a canvas.

The museum management has taken great care to make sure you catch glimpses of our transportation system, even outside the main gallery. Which means you’ll find bicycle handles being used as door handles, a grand statue of Lord Ganesha made out of automobile parts in the reception area.

The ticket counter has been made out of a dissected car, tires perched one on top of another pose in as tables. Certainly, the aesthetics of the place are a sight to behold.

What can you expect?

The museum was built with an intention of providing a world-class, interesting experience to the visitors. Given the practically non-existent appeal of museums for our youngsters, the museum made sure it stood out and appealed to all the age groups. Here are some salient features:

a. The entire place is adorned with impressively maintained vintage posters, advertisements- also including aviation advertising posters when India first stepped into the air industry. Not to mention, huge “Lux”, “Parle-G” posters from the previous century.

b. All the four levels are have been constructed in a wheelchair-friendly manner, with lifts and ramps.

c. There is a provision of free audio tour, available once you deposit a refundable security of Rs. 2000.

d. The museum also has a section of transport toys, a library cum research centre.

e. The ground floor also contains a food outlet, along with a beautiful souvenirs shop.

f. Various art pieces by different Indian tribes have also made their way to the interiors of the museum.

g. Some transportation modes which are indigenous to India are also present, including the traditional bullock carts, even a goat cart!

h. The museum also has a mini-auditorium where the visitors can sit down and watch special documentaries for free.

Entry tickets and timings

The managerial team of the museum has a system of a flat entry fee for both Indian and foreign visitors.

For adults: Rs. 400 per ticket

For children: Rs. 200 per ticket

Students (authentic ID proof required): Rs. 200 per ticket

The Heritage Transport Museum provides free entry to:

a. Disabled visitors, along with one companion

b. Children below the age of 3 years

Best way to reach

Given the two-hour drive from the capital to the museum, the travel might pose a problem for many. The most comfortable way to reach is through a private vehicle.

However, in case private transportation is not viable, the museum also provides the facility of special transportation from Delhi. Interested people may contact the following for booking:

Ragini Bhat

Mobile number: +91- 9871667018

E-mail: [email protected]

The Heritage Transport Museum is quickly becoming popular in the country, especially amongst the people of NCR. And, with good reason. It manages to provide a fresh alternative to spending your weekend, as opposed to window-shopping in malls, or sitting idle at home. The interiors and little quirks of the place will make sure you do not feel bored for even a single second.

Entertainment packed with an informative experience- it can’t get any better! So, the next time you have a spare day at your hand, drive down to this one of a kind museum and get ready to have a great day.

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