New Delhi, Jul 30 The Mysuru City Corporation on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it has resolved to prepare a detailed project report for the renovation and restoration of over a century-old Devaraja Market and Lansdowne Building.
The market and building were constructed in the 1880s during the reign of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore.
On May 4, the apex court had said that both the structures should be protected and necessary renovations and restoration work should be undertaken.
The top court was hearing a petition challenging an August 2023 order of the Karnataka High Court, which had rejected a plea seeking a direction to the authorities to refrain from demolishing or reconstructing the market and the building.
On Thursday, the plea came up for hearing before a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran.
The bench noted that the counsel appearing for the Mysuru City Corporation has said before it that the body, in its July 13 meeting, has "resolved to prepare a detailed project report for the renovation and restoration of Devaraja Market and Lansdowne Building".
The top court said the Corporation's decision in this regard be placed on record.
The bench expressed its happiness that the authorities have decided to preserve both the structures.
"India is known for its rich history and heritage. As far as possible, you must preserve it," it observed.
On May 4, the top court had examined a report of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, on the condition of the two structures.
It had in September last year asked the IIT, Roorkee director to constitute an expert committee to evaluate the market and the building, their current condition and the extent to which they could be preserved as heritage structures.
In its May 4 order, the top court noted the committee's conclusions and recommendations.
The committee was of the view that both the Devaraja Market and the Lansdowne Building can be restored and conserved in view of their immense heritage value.
"It is crucial to note that both structures are part of the Ensemble of Civic Architecture of Mysuru. Further, they embody interconnected and interdependent values, underlining the relevance of these structures in contemporary times and their renewed sustenance in the future," the report said.
A detailed and scientifically sound evaluation needs to be undertaken, and a conservation plan needs to be implemented for restoring these structures, it said.
The report said many severely deteriorated or damaged elements of the structures would even need reconstruction as part of this overall restoration work.
The top court had observed that in view of the committee's report, both the structures should be protected and necessary renovations and restoration work should be undertaken.
It had said that a comprehensive plan was needed to be prepared by the Mysuru City Corporation and the Mysuru Urban Development Authority.
The apex court had said the authorities should also look into the recommendations and suggestions made by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
In September last year, the top court noted that according to INTACH's report, the structures could be preserved with some repair and retrofitting.
