SC order on Mysuru heritage structures: MP seeks immediate restoration works

Following the Supreme Court’s direction to conserve and restore Mysuru’s iconic heritage structures instead of demolishing them, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Mysuru MP, has urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to immediately release funds and commence restoration works on the historic Devaraja Market and Lansdowne Building.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Mr. Wadiyar described the Supreme Court’s May 4 verdict on the two heritage buildings as a landmark decision. “The apex court rejected proposals for demolition and reconstruction of the 19th-century structures and has instead ordered their conservation and renovation,” the MP said.

The MP said the verdict was based on a detailed technical assessment by the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, which reportedly found that nearly 70% of the structures could be repaired and restored while retaining the existing foundation.

Stating that Mysuru’s historic civic architecture was inseparable from the city’s identity, Mr. Wadiyar said he remained committed to protecting the cultural and tourism heritage of Mysuru. “It is our duty to comply with the judicial order and preserve these historic landmarks,” he stated.

He urged the State government to release the sanctioned funds in line with recommendations made by expert committees from IIT Roorkee and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, and direct the Mysuru City Corporation and Mysuru Development Authority to immediately begin restoration works.

Mr. Wadiyar also stressed that funds allocated by the State government should be used exclusively for the conservation of the heritage buildings.

Recalling earlier announcements, he pointed out that the State government had earmarked ₹95 crore for the renovation of Devaraja Market and ₹35 crore for the Lansdowne Building in the 2024–25 budget.

“Devaraja Market and Lansdowne Building are not just buildings; they represent Mysuru’s living cultural and commercial heritage,” the MP said, expressing confidence that Mr. Siddaramaiah, himself a Mysurean, would prioritise the restoration and conservation of the two landmarks.