The Deccan Herald 01.12.2010
Heritage markets set for makeover
Mysore, November 30, DHNS :
Learning lessons from previous bitter experiences, Mysore City Corporation (MCC) council on Tuesday resolved to take up the restoration works of Devaraja, Vani Vilas and Mandi Markets here on its own.
Mayor Sandesh Swamy announced the decision after seeking corporators opinion, the process that lasted two hours. He said the matter will be discussed again with District In-charge Minister S A Ramdas and Deputy Commissioner Harsh Gupta.
Tabling the proposal for council’s consent, MCC Commissioner K S Raykar said it is intended to shoulder the task utilising Chief Minister’s Special Grant of Rs 100 crore.
Of the total amount Rs 15 crore would be deposited as seed money towards the works, as approved in principle at a recent meeting with the district In-charge minister, deputy commissioner and myself (Raykar), he added.
This apart non-refundable deposits would be collected from the tenants in the markets according to the goodwill, to generate sufficient funds for the works, commissioner added.
BJP Corporator Pradeep Kumar argued that before arriving at a conensus, the authorities should debate over the pros and cons of taking up the job. Citing an example of civic works launched by the civic body during Dasara, that is yet to start in his ward, Pradeep Kumar said ‘it would be better not to rush into this.
Quality will be another issue, if MCC officers take the lead’. Pradeep favoured public-private-partnership (PPP). Interestingly, another Corporator Nagedra belonging to the same party dispelled Pradeep Kumar’s doubts on the city corporation and apparently emphasised on taking up the works.
Similarly, Corporators Nandeesh Preetham who is also Opposition Leader in the council, K T Chaluvegowda, T V Girish Prasad, Ayub Khan, K V Mallesh, Purushothama and several others buttressed Raykar’s words. “When we have a glaring examples of Makkaji Chowk and also Mayura Complex, there is no harm in city corporation taking up the markets work”, contended the corporators.
A power-point-presentation was made by a private consultant with the help of slides giving an insight of the restoration works. MCC Superintending Engineer Mahesh clarified that they are yet to prepare detailed project report.
