The Hindu : Karnataka News : Magnificence of Krishnaraja Boulevard faces threat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 07, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Magnificence of Krishnaraja Boulevard faces threat

By Our Staff Correspondent

The move to put up commercial hoardings along the Krishnaraja Boulevard in Mysore has come under criticism.

MYSORE, JAN. 6. The magnificence of the Krishnaraja Boulevard adjoining the Maharaja's College and the court complex in Mysore is under threat following a proposal to erect commercial hoardings along the one km stretch of the road.

Work is in progress to erect commercial hoardings and a section of the public has already aired their apprehensions that the grace and resplendence of what is one of the most beautifully laid double roads dotted with a series of heritage structures leading to the famed Oriental Research Institute will now be marred forever.

Pressure is building on the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) to desist from implementing the project, and M. Lakshamana, member of the Mysore Agenda Task Force, has urged the Mayor and the corporation commissioner to halt the works.

The double road commencing from the court complex is dotted with a row of heritage structures on either side and this includes the city court complex, the Mysore Zilla Panchayat building, the Ekalvaya Circle, the Maharaja's College, and the Yuvaraja's College culminating at the Oriental Research Institute campus. The double road is separated by a divider that is 30-ft broad and the trees planted in the middle add to its splendour. It is pertinent to note that the cluster of buildings along this road was identified for the Heritage Walk to showcase the city's architectural structures. A memorandum submitted to the Mayor seeks his intervention to protect the heritage value of Mysore. The memorandum notes with regret that the MCC has already planned to lease out nearly 50-ft. of space in between the two roads leading from the Oriental Research Institute to Jayanagar and passing through the court complex.

This has been done to facilitate advertising agencies to display their high light beam advertisement boards and it is feared that nearly 50 of such hoardings are to be erected along the road.

It was pointed out that the Krishnaraja Boulevard was ideal for a Heritage Walk given the cluster of heritage buildings along it, but its heritage value will be eroded forever if the MCC leases out the area for commercial hoardings.

It is pertinent to note that the Revised Comprehensive Development Plan for Mysore and the law pertaining to conservation of heritage structures makes it clear that no activity that diminishes and erodes the heritage and cultural value of a monument, structure or building, should be allowed within 100 metres.

Yet, the MCC is going ahead with its proposal to erect commercial hoardings and thus dilute the grace of the Krishnaraja Boulevard. Mr. Lakshman has urged the Mayor to stall the move immediately.

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