Facade collapse a warning bell, says Prof. Rangaraju – Star of Mysore

District Heritage Sub-Committee dominated by officers with no experience

Mysore/Mysuru: Sayyaji Rao Highway is probably the most distinguished among the many 17 designated heritage streets in Mysuru and has over 500 heritage buildings lining its stretch.

Nevertheless, each Authorities and privately owned buildings on the street are affected by gross neglect by Mysuru Metropolis Company (MCC) and the District Administration, stated Prof. N.S. Rangaraju, retired Professor of Historic Historical past and Archaeology on the College of Mysore.

Reacting to yesterday’s facade collapse, he termed the incident a “warning bell.”

“The MCC neither undertakes repairs of heritage buildings nor permits house owners to hold out repairs, citing heritage norms. Paradoxically, the MCC itself is contributing to the decay and dilapidation of these historic buildings,” he noticed.

Prof. Rangaraju stated the District Administration should represent a Committee to establish harmful buildings and subject notices to house owners, directing them both to vacate unsafe premises or perform repairs in accordance with heritage tips.

“This train have to be accomplished earlier than the monsoon. In any other case, accidents are inevitable, as many of these buildings are structurally weak and in a dilapidated situation,” he cautioned.

He additional identified that a 2024 heritage survey performed by the District Heritage Buildings Inspection Sub-Committee had recognized 110 buildings, out of 131 heritage buildings inside MCC limits, that require pressing repairs.

“Sadly, the report has been stored pending by the Authorities and the District Administration and no motion has been taken to this point. It’s gathering mud,” he stated.

Expressing concern over the composition of current District Heritage Conservation Sub-committee, he stated it lacks heritage consultants. “It’s dominated by officers with little understanding of heritage conservation. The Authorities should no less than type a Heritage Sub-committee comprising consultants to information restoration of heritage buildings,” he added.