Rs 98 cr sought to refurbish old structures

Shilpa P | NT

Mysuru: Amid the opposition over the demolition of the 136-year-old historical heritage structure at Devaraja market, Tenants’ Association and Mysureans are keen on conservation and restoration of heritage structures in the city. Chamarajanagar MLA L Nagendra has submitted a proposal to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai for the allocation of funds in the forthcoming budget for the demolition and reconstruction of the Devaraja market at the cost of Rs 98 crore. He has even sought funds in budget for demolition and reconstruction of another iconic heritage structure - the130-year-old Lansdowne building at the cost of Rs 37 crore.

MLA L Nagendra said, “We want funds to be allotted in the state budget for it as it is long due. The Detailed Project Reports for rebuilding heritage structures, Devaraja market and Lansdowne are already prepared.”

“They would be built on the same lines of the existing structures with the same architecture and design. Devaraja market is in a dilapidated state, parts of it collapse when it rains heavily. Since the wiring is old, there have been frequent short circuits there. So, the lives of people, both merchants and customers, are important. Hence we have submitted a proposal to the CM seeking funds in the budget to demolish and rebuild both the structures,” he said.

Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) had passed a resolution to demolish and rebuild both the iconic structures in the city. They had even recommended the same to the state government. But Devaraja Market Tenants’ Association challenged the demolition and rebuilding of the market in the HC. The court had directed the Special Heritage Experts Committee headed by Mysuru DC to re-look into the recommendation of MCC. According to the Commissioner, Dept of Heritage, Archaeology and Museums Poornima B R, the Special Heritage Experts Committee has submitted a report to restore both the heritage structures.

MCC Lakshmikanth Reddy said they have sought permission for demolition and reconstruction of the structures from the Heritage Experts Committee.

Conservation expert of heritage building and member of heritage expert committee of Mysuru Prof N S Rangaraju said Devaraja market is the living heritage. S Mahadev, president of Devaraja Market Tenants Association, said, “The report of the Special Heritage Experts Committee related to the Devaraja market is not yet submitted to the HC in the case filed by our association.”

Devaraja market – A one-stop shop

Devaraja market is built with a secular, Indo-Saracenic style of architecture by the 10th Chamaraja Wadiyar in memory of his son Devaraja. Spread over three-andhalf acres, it has 822 shops where merchants pay monthly rent and 250 open stalls for which merchants pay daily rent.

It is a one-stop shop for not just vegetables and fruits, but it is one place where one can fi nd all Mysuru specialties, including Mysuru jasmine, Mysore betel leaves and others. This is one among three iconic markets built by the Wodeyars. Vanivilas and Mandi market are the others built by Maharajas, says heritage expert Eechanur Kumar.

He said Lansdowne building, designed in Gothic style was also built during the reign of 10th Chamaraja Wadiyar in 1892, in memory of the visit of British Viceroy Lansdowne and his wife. The building, with Madras terrace, has a ground fl oor and the fi rst fl oor with 97 shops, Eechanur said.