Sir,

Apropos the news item “Devaraja Market, Lansdowne Building to be razed” (SOM dated Jan.30), this is definitely a good news for tenants of both these buildings. There are many families who are directly or indirectly depended for their livelihood with the income generated by working in these two buildings.

It is sheer foolishness on the part of the “Heritage Committee” to object reconstruction of these buildings. Over a period of time, these two buildings will become white elephants and a liability for MCC and State Government, if not demolished and rebuilt.

New buildings should be multi-storied structures with ample space for parking and can be designed to look like original Devaraja Market and Lansdowne Building. As there is a shortage of parking space in the Central Business District, this can be mitigated by providing ample parking slots in the new buildings.

Also while allotting the shops, one hundred percent transparency has to be maintained and the rent should not be a pittance, as being collected now. Terms of allotment of shops should be free from any ambiguity and the rules must be in favour of MCC and not the tenants — so as to refrain the tenants from going to Court and block payment of monthly rent.

– K. Chandrahas, Mysuru, 31.1.2019

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