Sri Lankan Delegation Visit to Odisha State Maritime Museum, Jobra, Cuttack

Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Hon’ble Member of Parliament of India (Lok Sabha-Cuttack) welcomed the Sri Lankan delegates to the Odisha State Maritime Museum at Jobra, Cuttack on 8th of November 2015. He personally explained many facets of the Museum as well as its historical aspect.

Set up on the banks of river Mahanadi over four acres of land, the museum stands on the site of the ancient Maritime Engineering Workshop that was established by the British in 1869. Apparently, this workshop was set up for building, repair and maintenance of vessels from the provinces of Bihar, Bengal and Odisha under the Bengal Presidency of British India.

The workshop was set up by the then PWD department of British administration through the efforts of a Scottish Engineer GH Faulkner immediately after the 1866 famine in Odisha. The museum has 13 galleries showcasing maritime traditions, vessels, boats and other related artefacts from the ancient age to the colonial era. A library with more than 1000 books and journals has been included for researchers in the museum. Except Monday, the museum remains open for the visitors on all working days from 10 am to 4 pm.