Mysuru: The beautification of the short stretch of Dewan’s Road from the intersection of Dhanvanthri Road leading to the intersection of Irwin Road (opposite J.K. Grounds) is the pet project of Mayor M.J. Ravikumar. This stretch now looks beautiful with a cleanly laid road. And, with the installation of the exquisitely designed tall street lamps, the heritage look is complete.

The road was developed recently at a cost of Rs. 65 lakh with median dividing the road. It was inaugurated ten days ago. However, yesterday, due to the negligence of a JCB driver, one of the street lamps came crashing down as he ploughed into it.

Just as the Government and the Corporation are neglecting the restoration work of Lansdowne and Devaraja Market buildings, the citizens also display the same kind of apathy. Take for instance the wall of the Medical College Girls Hostel on Dewan’s Road side. Beautiful paintings, depicting the rich heritage of the city, adorn the walls. But a few miscreants do not hesitate to disfigure them.

An elder citizen who was pained to see the heritage lamp broken, told Star of Mysore: “We blame the Government if they neglect heritage structures. But when we ourselves carelessly are involved in its destruction, whom can we blame?”

Mayor Ravikumar reacting to the incident said, “The UGD work is going on in J.K. Grounds. The contractor had got the JCB vehicle for this work. Due to the negligent attitude of the driver, the lamp-post was broken. It costs around Rs. 75,000. However, the contractor has agreed to pay for the damages.”