Decks cleared for the renovation of heritage hospital buildings in Mysuru

MYSURU: In the maiden budget that chief minister Basavaraj Bommai presented this year, he set aside Rs 89 crore towards the renovation of the century-old Mysuru Medical College and Research Institute (MMCRI), and its constituent hospitals in the city – Krishna Rajendra (KR) Hospital, and Cheluvamba Hospital.
Many months have elapsed since the CM’s budget, and there were grumblings among the stakeholders in the healthcare sector about the authorities dragging their feet on the project. However, the medical education department has finally set the ball rolling on the initiative, and preparations are under way to refurbish the three medical institutions, each of which is housed in a heritage structure.
In fact, given the historicity that these structures are steeped in, it is little wonder that the public and conservationists are eager to see them reinforced, and strengthened lest they crumble into oblivion. However, conservationists want the authorities concerned to ensure that the structural integrity, and historic character of these buildings do not become casualties as part of the process.
The three hospitals, all of which are situated in the heart of Mysuru city, attract patients not merely from across the district but also from neighbouring Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu and Hassan. The then dean and director of MMCRI Dr HS Dinesh had, in 2021, submitted a detailed project report highlighting the need for renovation of the three buildings to the government. The report was drafted by Dr Dinesh with assistance from engineers of the public works department (PWD), who inspected the structures to check for cracks, and other vulnerable spots.
In addition to making a budgetary allocation towards the refurbishment of the buildings, the project has been greenlit by the state cabinet.
Dr Dinesh’s successor at MMCRI, Dr KR Dakshayini told TOI, “The chief engineer of the Karnataka Health System Development and Reform Project (KHSDRP), who is entrusted with monitoring renovation of buildings under the jurisdiction of the health department, is currently preparing to float a global tender, so work on all three structures can commence at the earliest.”
Dr Dakshayini assured the public of work being carried out such that it would not disrupt regular operations of the hospitals, and would not inconvenience patients. “When a specific portion of the building is being repaired, patients will be shifted to other blocks,” said the MMCRI dean, adding that the authorities would ensure that the historic legacy of the structures would not be tampered with.
‘Consider suggestions from heritage panel’
Member of the Mysuru District Heritage Conservation Committee, Prof NS Rangaraju stressed the need to utilise the same materials originally used in the construction of the three hospital buildings during the renovation process. “The damaged portions of the Ayurveda College building were renovated using the same materials, when then deputy commissioner Abhiram G Sankar headed the heritage panel. The engineering section of the health department must ensure that the suggestions of the heritage committee, constituted by the government for the express purpose of conserving these structures, are considered for renovation of these medical college buildings,” Prof Rangaraju told TOI.