Mysuru: Century-old school demolished to construct commercial complex

MYSURU: A historical school of the Ittigegudu in the heart of the city become history on Thursday with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) taking up the demolition works. The MUDA is planning to construct a commercial complex at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crores and 80 lakhs.

According to the locals, "This school which was closed since the last few years is now demolished by the MUDA. The school had two floors. The school is very old and dates back to the pre-independence era."
"We don't know about when this school was exactly started. But most of the locals studied in this school. But since last six-seven years, the school is closed," informed Satyeshappa, a local resident.
This school belongs to the Mysuru South Education Block. Block Education Officer (BEO) Shivakumar told TOI that the school was closed six-seven years ago. "The school was running in a MUDA building. No one is aware when the school was started," he said.
According to historian and city heritage committee member Echanur Kumar, the school was started by Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and it has a history of 110 years. It was in a building owned by City Improvement Trust Board which is later renamed as the MUDA.

MUDA commissioner PS Kantharaj confirmed that a commercial complex was coming up in the site. "The proposal of demolishing the building was finalized before I assumed as the charge of the commissioner. Now the state government has given administrative approval for the same," he said.
On the question, whether demolishing a school building for the construction of a commercial building is correct, he said many schools have come up in the nearby areas. "But this decision was taken before I was transferred here," he said.
The historians and heritage experts slammed the demolition of the school buildings.
According to the historian Nanjaraj Urs, demolishing a school building is really condemnable. "Using the school site for the construction of a commercial complex is not correct. It is really sad development," he said.
NS Rangaraju, member, Mysuru heritage committee said he has already brought the issue to the notice of the concerned authorities. "It is wrong to destroy a school building for the commercial purposes. We will look into the issue," he said.