The accident at the heritage Lansdowne Building in Mysore has brought to light the need for ensuring the safety of heritage buildings in Bengaluru as well. Four lives were lost in Mysore on Saturday, when the roof of the 120-year-old heritage building collapsed. The issue has once again highlighted the need for increasing the accountability of stakeholders and government to ensure that proper protection and conservation efforts take place.
The Attara Kacheri or the State High Court, with its distinctive two-storeyed red structure is one of the only heritage buildings in the state that has been renovated and realigned without being tampered with. Built in 1868, this building opposite Vidhana Soudha was once the seat of the secretariat of the Mysore kingdom and post Independence, it housed the State Legislature.
The Bangalore Palace that was built in 1884, is also another heritage building that been safeguarded. Its Tudor style of architecture, complete with turrets, battlements, gothic windows and arches is still maintained. However, there are several other buildings such as the Mayo Hall located next to the public utility building on M.G.Road which deserve attention.
Built in 1875 in the memory of the fourth viceroy of India, Lord Mayo, it boasted of fine Italian chandeliers, ornate furniture and exquisite furnishings. Today the Mayo Hall is a BBMP record room, besides operating as a traffic court. While the responsibility of protecting buildings is on government agencies, there is still no amendment with regards to ensuring that these structures are protected. “The responsibility of protecting these heritage structures rests with the stakeholders. However, there is nobody to ensure that these buildings are kept safe,” said B.G. Chengappa, Director of the Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services.
Several architects point to the 85-year old Russel Market, which was destroyed in a fire. Even though the structure was restored, there was no attempt made to ensure that the building was reinforced and realigned. “It is a shoddy work,” an expert pointed out. “In Mysore, even though they have a dedicated department, an accident occurred. Imagine the case with Bengaluru where there are so many such heritage buildings, but no conservation measures. Now the time has come that besides government, other private players should be brought in, to ensure that the structures are restored and kept safe,” opined Dr. Suryanath U. Kamath, prominent historian.