Demolishing the existing Devaraja Market seems to be the only solution for every growing population and also the authorities can control on who can set up shops within the new premises. This will surely provide better avenues to the authorities by means of better rentals and better maintainance.

By having a new structure, we can accommodate proper drainage system, proper garbage disposal, proper exit and entry points, facilitate proper parking, can curb vendors on the footpaths inside and outside the market and finally provide better selling and buying environment to both.

The Devaraja Market building can be re-built as per the present exterior design or probably with addition of two floors with a basement for exclusively for parking and sanitation facilities.

One common problem every commercial complex and commercial streets face is the parking of vehicles. The shop owners usually occupy the parking space well provided for the public parking. This has to be avoided, the authorities need to allot parking space for individual shop owners separately and also for the general public visiting the Market.

If we restore the present Market, by plastering a few walls, water proofing the roof, re-pianting the walls and similar such works, we can never regulate the vendors selling their wares inside the market.. We can never have a clean market, free from garbage or vegetable waste...

We need to provide a crash training session educating the shop owners about ways to dispose the waste. Generally we have seen flowerists dumping the lose flowers in the pathway, we have seen the banana plantain and plantian leaves dealers dump the waste in the pathway, we have seen the fruit shop owners dump the packing materials like boxes, baskets in the pathway.. so on and so forth.. we surely need to get them to dispose off their waste in a very tidy and proper manner to maintain the cleanliness of the Market. Not to forget the vegetable dealers washing and sprinkling water on the vegetables to keep them fresh, but they fail to understand that by doing so.. they are creating problems in the pathway..

Whatever might the result be .. new building or restoring the old building we need to educate one and all about using the facility.

Dear Ramaprasad,

You have the question and the answer too.. :)

Honorable Mayor, and distinguished audience:

Culture, language, traditions, architecture are really what makes a place more welcome.

Culture, which may (? I am unsure) be linked with Kala (art, and said another way time) and (Aachar which is 'reethi' or practice) does change but is raely sudden. As a matter of fact none of the 4 listed above ever change suddenly. Unless of-course when one is driven out.

Preserve the facade and change the interior that is a much more pleasant solution.

If expansion is a must one ought to look at alternative locations with ample parking. What is a killer today in most parts of all cities is the lack of parking. Mass transit may be effective, however the younger generation is welcoming the freedom of driving. For once we are seeing the youth positioned well, earning well and spending well and thus creating a successful economy. It is this that is driving change. Change is necessary. But know where and how to work or effect change.

Hence altering the Devaraja Market is affecting the landscape of Mysore and that means a lot to a large bunch of us; and importantly offers very little. The area is quite crowded with pedestrian traffic. Any addition will make it impossible to shop. Could we target an alternative location for a jumbo sized super structure to house the conveniences of a 'mall' and ensure there is adequate parking facilities as well?

Srinivas

The Mayor has done the right thing of asking the public opinion and arriving at a solution to solve the situation.

We all know that something or the other needs to be done to the Devaraja Market, but what is that we need to do.. we all can come out with a possible economic and socio feasibility solution. We need to come out with a proper solution and see to it that it will be the best suited to everybody concern.

Thanks Capt. Anup for providing the numbers to voice our suggestions.

Having malls around in the extentions areas might not work out.. the one built at Vijayanagar Kalidasa Road seems to unoccupied and there a few markets which are not occupied fully. General mind set is anything purchased at Devaraja market will be cheaper as compared to extention areas malls.. so what is the use in setting up malls or markets around the town.

How can we prevent people coming over the City Centre to purchase? How can we avoid habits that have been inculcated over years.. People have been shopping at Devaraja Market for nearly 100 years.. Old habits die hard!!

Thinking one step ahead, whatever might be the outcome of Devaraja Market whether restoration or new building.. We need see to it that we have another alternative arrangement till the time the works are completed. It should become another place like the Vegetable open market on MG Road.

The administration before banning selling vegetable at the Gunhouse area, they should have made sure that the place earmarked and alloted has to have all the facilities of parking, toilets, refreshments etc., and not entertain unorganized & unauthorised development..

My suggestion is rebuild the Devaraja Market and till the new market is built temporarily shift the Vendors to JK grounds with temporary structures not affecting the ground.. I would have suggested the place near Hardinge cirlce and Doddakere Maidan (Exhibition Ground Parking area) But no not that place as my observation, I have seen people playing football, cricket matches very often. But JK Grounds, I haven't seen much activity happening Or Makkaji Chowk Area but it is not pratical!!

Lot depends on how much funds can the authorities generate and how they can generate? Looking at the present situation, no one knows how they are going to generate such huge funds whether it is for restoration or for the new structure.

This Devaraja Market issue is just at the beginning, we have lot more issues arising out of this, we need to tackle them at the beginning and then get on with a plan.

For everything that is been implemented in our city, we have witnessed opposition and confrontations and by just opposing the implementation, the project suffers with time schedules not being kept and thus the project costs hikes up and then all the problems strike back like a boomarang!!

Any solutions? not suggestions please!! 

I am half tempted to write my suggestions to the Mayor, I am also wondering like Capt. Anup, that it might turn out be just another circular.

Infact, given an opportunity, I would like take part in collating & analysing the information/suggestions received by the Mayor.

I did try speaking to one trader at the Market, a banana trader, according to him, they are paying 200/- per month as rent.. I was really surprised at that figure and he said that the corporation in its proposal is asking for Rs. 5000/- pm with a 11 month agreement!! (which i consider is very fair). Going by my interaction with him, the vendors want to have the cake and as well eat the cake too.. (this was a casual talk with him while I was buying bananas from him)

I think we need to take out a survey among all the traders, hawkers & users to ascertain as to what  needs to be done, what is their requirement and then ask them a few open ended questions like how they want to improve the situation etc.,

This would be more like a Consumer Satisfaction Survey, which would help us in carrying out the feasibility study at a later date. On completion of the feasibility study, we would know as to how much fund would be required and how long it would take to establish a new or renovated market.

While we are at that.. we also should imbibe this rule of "Pay by Use" system, for eg., if the vendors are using the parking system they pay an upfront charge, if they use the water, power resources they pay a upfront fee!! every month the authorities can charge a Maintenance fee to the vendors for upkeep of the facilities like drinking water and sanitation.

For the public, the authorities make sure that we the public don't use plastics, if found with useage the fine them heftly.. the same goes to the vendors too.. make it a mandatory not to sell goods in plastic!!

While I am typing this, my mind is racing with the after effects that we the citizens of Mysore might face.. most important one is the prices of commodities hiked up.. we usually get to experience this effect when there is a petrol hike or a transport strike.. so we all know... if the corporation is going to ask big rentals.. then we the people need to pay a higher price.. then we are back to square one!

What do really need to do?

 I started to asking questions to myself and search for answers within me.. at very stage I happened to come back to same situation where I started from.. All said and done.. We need to conduct a research and get to know what is the feel. No point in cracking our brains, trying to muster all the data and providing suggestions and remedies!! coz no one is going to compromise!! Its only we the people who have to suffer.. oops.. compromise!!

Like they do on liquor ads. and cigarette packs (carrying statutory health warnings) the municipal corporation is reported to have fixed a notice at the Devaraja Market entrance, cautioning that those who enter the market premises would do so at their peril. The run-down and weather-ravaged roofs can collapse anytime, says the notice, adding that traders were not co-operating with the civic body in initiating restoration work.

(Source – The Hindu, Dec.22, 2005)

After reading GVK's post on Corporation sticking notices and the entrance.. I guess the corporation is being cautious & safeguarding their stand for any claim on damage that is foreseen!!

My assumption "I think the corporation thinks that Restoration is an expensive process.. so why not demolish the whole structure and rebuild where some of the materials can be recycled or reused.. and they think rebuilding cost would be cheaper.

Now the newspapers are screaming that the Mysore Dasara Exhibition Grounds to be made as a temporary market..

So what will happen to the Dasara Exhibition 2006? Would the market be completed by then?

To provide temporary arrangment to the vendors at Dasara Exhibition grounds would require regular power connection and water facilities.. But by providing such facilities the cost would be very high.. the corporation needs to take a feedback whether that place is acceptable by the vendors or not!!

The compromise we need to do is let the Authorities do what they intend to do with Devaraja Market and we should associate closely with the authorities in putting the plan across in a more feasible way!

the saying goes this way.. "if you can't change the system, try joining the system, if you can't join the system then quit the system"

I stand vindicated. Today's Star of Mysore 17th Dec has two articles. Reading both, it is clear that MCC has decided on demolition and re-building. I have decided to write to SOM and copy of that letter is hereunder for any one to read. I hope SOM publishes it:

Sir,

In SOM dated 17th December 2005: “Devaraja Market: Mayor goes to public court”, the Hon. Mayor of Mysore gave a statement saying that she wants to seek the opinion of the public and that citizens must write within seven days etc. Today’s SOM dated 22nd December 2005 has two articles one about the mayor asking traders to decide within five days in which the demolition decision is mentioned by the commissioner as he mentions that “permission from heritage Task force is not necessary for demolition of the dilapidated structure” and another article “Corporation receives designs for Devaraja Market”. When reading both these articles, the impression is clearly that the MCC has decided to demolish the structure and build another one. Commissioner in this article mentions that suggestions from individuals and organizations will also be taken under consideration. Firstly, if the MCC had already decided that demolition is the name of the game, why did they ask the public opinion? What if the public don’t want demolition but restoration? In what way will the MCC take suggestions under “consideration” when something has been pre-decided? Secondly, for a corporation that cries about lack of funds every time someone mentions that roads that were promised to be repaired before Dasara haven’t been repaired or when water supply issues are raised. Now, where would the funds for demolition and re-construction come from? Thirdly, after Devaraja Market, the “demolition drive” is sure to hit Lansdowne Building and then Jagan Mohan Palace since there is a lot of seepage, cracks and the building looks dilapidated in several rooms etc. This Heritage City will loose its tag as soon as we start to loose all the heritage structures.  Where is the will to look at alternatives?

Capt. Anup Murthy

I don’t mean to hog all the space (and hope there are other who will express their opinions as well) I changed the last para of my letter to SOM, here it is:

“This Heritage City will loose its tag as soon as we start to loose all the heritage structures. Imagine tour guides explaining to tourists, pointing to Devaraja market and saying that this used to be a heritage building but now it only looks like one but actually isn't! Look at buildings built by the MCC and see their condition today. When the MCC goes for the least cost tender, the building contractor is sure to take short cuts and then what would be the condition of the re-built market? Where is the will to look at alternatives?”

I doubt BOT will be viable. If a big builder comes and does a JV, it has to be commercially highly profitable (not merely viable). No trader will agree to pay high rentals that a BOO or BOT venture with big name builders. I know some of these big name builders and big profits is the only name of the game. Nothing wrong with that, though. Unless big name builders know of additional source of revenue that they can make from this project and is willing to take a Rs.200 rent from fruit sellers, it aint gonna happen. This is not like Makkaji Chowk. This is an actual building in various stages of disrepair and falling roofs. The MCC needs to do something fast and I doubt this issue will go quiet after some time. I wrote a letter to SOM. That may be published and may evoke some response.

GVK’s comment has some solutions contained within it. I agree that the new market must be built on another spot, perhaps Makkaji Chowk (!!). The existing Devaraja Market converted into a heritage museum, venue for classical music events etc. If such an activity is proposed at this location, funds may be forthcoming from State Government grants, Central Government grants, private grants, heritage Task Force funds (if they are empowered) and corporate grants. Infosys has in the recent past funded restoration work on a heritage building in Mysore. More corporate sponsors may be found.

The fruit, vegetable, meat, shops and whatever else exists at Devaraja Market may be shifted to the new venue. The new venue may have adequate parking, water and sanitation facilities. No need to demolish and rebuild the existing market edifice, adding to the cost.

Maybe this is what a few of us can suggest to the MCC in writing. A town hall meeting is also a good idea. Any suggestions how something like this can be organized? I invite comments and suggestions from many other browsers of mymysore.com

The town hall meeting is a very good option, incidentally yesterday, two students from SDM institute came to me with a questionnaire asking about pre dasara, dasara and post dasara .. benefits to me and to the economy.... I have requested them to speak to the college management to conduct a similar kind of research for the Devaraja Market, as they have assured me that they will take up to the college management with this issue.. Lets see what they can do about it..

But again for whatever we do.. it will be a waste of time and energy and resources!! The final decision is due in another four or five days..

Star of Mysore this afternoon 24th Dec issue has a large write-up on the Devaraja Market issue. The author is none other than the editor Mr. K.B. Ganapathy. The article has less of Mr. Ganapathy's thoughts and more of MGP's view points. Its almost like an MGP newsletter.

I must commend the MGP for their viewpoints and observations mentioned in the article. The article also mentions that MGP is in favour of holding multilateral discussions with the various stake holders. Isn't that what we have been discussing in this forum, calling it a "Town Hall meeting"? It is good that there seems to be similar trains of thought here amongst the people.

I hope other citizens, not aligned to MGP or any other organization are also allowed to participate as they should be, each citizen being a stake holder, in my opinion.

The MGP also suggests just two options. One is Repair and Rehabilitation (RR) or demolition and reconstruction (DR). I beg to differ with the MGP on the aspect that there are only two options. There is a third option. That has been articulated by GVK in this forum. Move the whole market out. Build a new market elsewhere, maybe Makkaji Chowk! Existing structure to be repaired and rehabilitated (to use their own words) and converted into a Heritage Museum or art and music centre etc. 

MGP has also mentioned "some of the factors that need to be considered by the stake holders" comprising of 11 points. The most important point to me, is missing. What is the unseen monetary benefit of having this heritage building restored. 

Mysore attracts visitors because it is heritage city. What is the value of Mysore without its heritage buildings? Zero. I repeat, ZERO. Several costs have been mentioned in the article such as capital cost, maintenance cost etc. People are looking at cost only NOT at value. What is the Heritage value of the Building. Can that be replaced with the options mentioned by MGP? Absolutely not. As soon as DR happens, the heritage VALUE drops several levels. Its like saying that since there are cracks in the Qutb Minar, better to  demolish it and build a new one so that visitors are safe! I could use many other examples. Monuments are to be saved, regardless of how much it costs. Devaraja Market is a living monument.

As a true blue Mysorean whose family is living here since Krishna Raja Wadiyar III, perhaps our sentiments are not easily understood by recent Mysoreans when they talk of DR.

I wrote a letter to star of mysore and posted it on this issues board as well. It has been published today, 25th december in Voice of the Reader. The letter has been edited, perhaps for space. No matter. For those who wish to read this in the paper but are not subscribers or live outside Mysore, the letter may be accessed on the net: http://starofmysore.com/main.asp?type=vor

In yesterday's Star of Mysore, there was a full page article written on behalf of MGP. I have written to SOM on this article as well and hope that gets published. There should be divergent points of view in any democratic society and I am glad that SOM does publish all points of view and is not biased. My endeavour is not to malign or sideline MGP or any other organization that is doing good work in Mysore, it is to merely put a different point of view. I have come to know that there are several persons of high esteem who are a part of such organizations and they are doing selfless work.

The end result of all this writing and blogging is to somehow in a small way contribute to bringing awareness of this issue in particular and I am hopeful that people will see this kind of activity, take part in the deliberations and force the authorities (read MCC elected reps and appointed officials) to include such different points of view. Of course I am glad that I am in a country where such divergent views can be so easily shared through any kind of media boldly. Thats the freedom that we should appreciate and use that freedom to ensure checks and balances are there in the system. I am sure MGP and others are also trying to, in their own way, ensure proper checks and balances with respect to Mysore issues.

Todays Star of Mysore dated 27th dec has another letter of mine (Voice of the reader) published in the print edition on the front page. The ideas reflected in the letter are a combination of views presented in this forum. Mr. GVK has mentioned clearly about the third option. There are related articles in "arts for all" and "Art boulevard", perhaps a hint that this venue may be used for the exhibition of arts and culture.

That the MGP, ACICM, Mr. Ganapathy (ed SOM) and Mr, Ravi Gundu Rao has approached the DC to intervene and stop the MCC from taking a hasty decision is a welcome move. It is timed well and I support them in forcing the MCC to adopt a democratic process. the SOM editorial also mentions this needs to be supported.

Visitors to this board are encouraged to put in their views. I know there are plenty of opinions out there and some people have no other avenues to express their opinions. Please remember that fora like this is an essential means for spreading the word on the different opinions of Mysore citizens regarding various issues. Stand up and be counted. Thats how democracy works.