India's Supreme Court Orders Restoration of Mysuru Heritage Structures

The Supreme Court of India has directed the conservation and restoration of Mysuru's iconic heritage structures, Devaraja Market and Lansdowne Building, instead of demolishing them. Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging him to immediately release funds and commence restoration works on the historic buildings.

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

Wadiyar described the Supreme Court's verdict as a landmark decision and stated that it is the duty of the government to comply with the judicial order and preserve these historic landmarks. He also stressed that funds allocated by the State government should be used exclusively for the conservation of the heritage buildings.

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. The Mysuru City Corporation and Mysuru Development Authority are expected to immediately begin restoration works, with the MP expressing confidence that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will prioritise the restoration and conservation of the two landmarks. The Chief Minister's office is expected to respond to the MP's request and announce the next steps in the restoration process shortly.