Chandigarh, Feb. 18 -- The Government Museum and Art Gallery in Sector 10 has seen a steady decline in visitor footfall over the past decade, exposing glaring administrative gaps - including the absence of a regular director for more than 20 years, abolition of key posts such as curator and laboratory assistants, and a lack of upgradation and curation of art effects.

The museum recorded its highest footfall in 2016, with 1,55,568 visitors. Since then, the numbers have gradually fallen. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, annual footfall hovered around 1.4 lakh. However, after 2022, the figures have failed to cross 1.2 lakh. In 2023, the museum recorded 1,15,236 visitors; the number dropped to 99,875 in 2024 and marginally rose to 1,13,187 in 2...