Fresh look for old buildings in Mysore soon

MYSORE: The heritage structures of the cultural city of Mysore that has withstood the vagaries of weather for more than a century is all set to get a face lift. A Heritage department meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary in Bangalore on Wednesday had decided to give a fresh look to as many as 18 heritage structures and eight heritage precincts of the city and has released Rs 16 crore for the purpose.Some of the structures earmarked are; Devaraja Market, Vani Vilas Market, Mandi Market, Sanskrit Patashala and a bungalow in Saraswatipuram where former president of India Dr S Radhakrishnan is said to have lived during his stint as a lecturer of philosophy at Maharaja College. Mysore City Corporation Commissioner K S Raikar said that though they had submitted a proposal seeking funds to the tune of Rs 22 crore for the restoration, the government has agreed to provide only Rs 16 crore. Hence, the works will be completed within the funds sanctioned, he added.With regard to the Lansdowne Building, he said that the Heritage Department has deposited around Rs 75 lakh in the MCC account for its restoration works on Wednesday for which tenders were floated on Thursday. Total estimate of its restoration is Rs 1.05 crore and the remaining Rs 30 lakh will be arranged from JNNURM.