Mysuru's attractions to get facelift for Rs 45 cr

Installation of a statue of last Maharaja of Mysuru, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar and renovation of Mysuru's two landmark buildings are likely to be taken up soon

Mysuru is set to undergo a major facelift, with some of its historical structures and tourist attractions set to undergo renovation, at a cost of about Rs 45 crore.

Installation of a statue of the last Maharaja of Mysuru, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar and renovation of Mysuru’s two landmark buildings, Lansdowne Buildings and Devaraja Market, are likely to be taken up soon.

Another project awaiting clearance for execution is the widening of the Irwin Road that connects the City Railway Station at a cost of Rs 24 crore.

The statue of Jayachamaraja Wadiyar will be installed at the Hardinge Circle for Rs 5 crore where stands an inoperative fountain. This will be in line with the two other statues of the Maharajas of Mysuru, Chamaraja Wadiyar and Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, at the busy Chamaraja Statue Circle and K R Circle respectively on the same road.

The Lansdowne Building, collapse of the ceiling of which on August 25, 2012 had resulted in the death of four persons in a rented shop of the Mysuru Municipal Corporation. It will be restored for Rs 6 crore. The Devaraja Market, Mysuru’s premier shopping centre in a heritage building in the heart of the city, will be renovated for Rs 10 crore.

Both buildings are in a dilapidated state. Though the Devaraja Market continues to be a busy market area, the Lansdowne Building remains neglected after the tragedy, its shop-keepers temporarily accommodated in makeshift stalls opposite the famous structure.

Informing this at the district development review meeting today, officials said tender process had been initiated for the restoration of the century-old Lansdowne Buildings and installation of the statue of the late Maharaja. Works would be taken up soon on these three projects.

The installation of the statue has been approved by the state government and has been included in the budget.

Deputy Commissioner C Shikha said, clearance from the government was awaited for widening the Irwin Road proposed at a cost of Rs 24 crore — Rs 14 crore for land acquisition and the rest for asphalting.

District incharge Minister V Sreenivasa Prasad asked the officials concerned to speed up the construction of the Maharani’s Commerce College and hostel in Vinayakanagar in the city and also explore the possibility of setting up an extension centre of the Maharani’s Science College in the erstwhile Taluk Office premises on Hunsur Road.

The handing over of the Nishad Bagh to the Horticulture Department will be taken up at the next meeting of the Mysuru City Corporation council, the meeting was told.