MYSORE: Experts from Torsteel Research Foundation, who submitted an interim report on the restoration of Devaraja Market to the Mysore City Corporation, have been asked to chalk out a comprehensive plan for restoring the heritage structure.

Structural and design engineers of Torsteel, Jayasimha and Anita Kasetty, in their report have suggested that nearly 30 per cent of the more than 700 shops in the market should be closed down as major repairs had to be taken up.

The Chief Consultant of the foundation, C.S. Viswanath, also inspected the damaged portion of the building on Tuesday. Mayor Bharathi and the corporation Commissioner, A.B. Ibrahim, accompanied him.

Among the works suggested by the team is replacing the Madras tile roofing with RCC roofing. The experts have said that the lack of maintenance was the main reason for the present condition of the building.

In a few places, the report said, shop owners had replaced the roofing with RCC and these had to be removed.

Plan in 10 days

The foundation will chalk out the plan with estimates in 10 days after conducting a thorough investigation on the damaged portion of the building. The expert team, it is learnt, will start the work on Wednesday.

The corporation has also asked the foundation to conduct similar studies on the Vani Vilas Market, Mandi Mohalla Market and Lansdowne Building. The study would commence as soon as the city corporation makes an official request.

Memorandum

The Devaraja Market Traders' Association will submit a memorandum to Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh in Bangalore on Wednesday seeking his intervention in the issue. The association president, Mahadevu, told The Hindu that they would seek compensation for the damaged shops and also an alternative place in case the city corporation takes up restoration work.

He said they would request the Chief Minister to allow them to initiate restoration of the market but under the supervision of the city corporation. Mr. Mahadevu said they were anxious as eviction notices could be served on them.

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