Mysuru: A row has broken out between the Mysuru heritage experts committee and the railways over the renovation of the Mysuru city railway station, which the former alleges is being carried out in violation of heritage norms and its guidance.
Noting that the Mysuru railway station and railway offices are listed among the city's 201 heritage buildings, Mysuru heritage experts committee member, Eechanur Kumar says the railway authorities had approached the panel with its plans on redevelopment of the station, including the extension of its quadrangle.
“We had suggested that they retain at least two of the six pillars in the entrance area and relocate the other four. We also found the design not artistic enough. But they are not taking our comments seriously and are violating heritage norms,” he complained.
Mr Kumar also pointed out that the Mysuru deputy commissioner and the commissioners of the Mysuru City Corporation and department of heritage, archaeology and museums had written to the railways to stop the redevelopment work.
“However, we were told at the heritage experts committee meeting on Monday that the work cannot be stopped as it has been taken up under the Railway Act. A joint meeting of all the officials will be held on May 25 to take a final decision,” he added.
Refuting the committee's charges, Mysuru divisional railway manager of South Western Railway, Aparna Garg, however, said on Tuesday that the Mysuru railway station was being renovated without compromising its historical and heritage value. Speaking to reporters, she said the renovation had become necessary as the station, which handled 24 trains in 1980, now dealt with 96 trains and over 60,000 passengers every day. The number of passengers had increased by 20 per cent since 2014-15 and the number of vehicles in its parking area had doubled in 10 years.
“So several facilties have been added in the recent past for better customer experience. Mysuru city railway station is one of 64 railway stations identified by the Indian railways for redevelopment and some work has now begun,” she added.
