Welcoming the Supreme Court’s verdict directing restoration of Mysuru’s iconic Devaraja Market and Lansdowne Building instead of demolition, Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) has urged the government of Karnataka not to file an appeal, and to immediately begin conservation work.

MGP founding-working president Dr. Bhamy V. Shenoy said the judgment had brought relief not only to heritage conservationists but also to the people of Mysuru, who regard the two structures as part of the city’s cultural identity.

The Parishat, which was part of the citizens’ movement seeking preservation of the heritage buildings, said both INTACH and IIT Roorkee had found that nearly 70% of the structures could be repaired and restored while retaining the existing foundation.

Drawing a comparison with the restoration of Angkor Wat temples in Cambodia, Dr. Shenoy said even severely damaged heritage structures elsewhere had been successfully conserved, proving that restoration of Devaraja Market and Lansdowne Building was feasible.

Criticising the State Government for challenging the Karnataka High Court order of August 2023, the MGP said the delay had resulted in further deterioration of the buildings over the past three years. It urged the government to begin restoration without further delay, and entrust the work to agencies with world-class conservation expertise.

In addition, Dr. Shenoy called for the appointment of a commission to examine lease agreements and tenancy issues before renewing contracts in the market area. He said identifying rightful occupants and rationalising rents would be a complex exercise, and should be handled efficiently in the interests of the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC).

Pressure is mounting on the government of Karnataka to take immediate steps towards restoration, with demand growing from various quarters for the work to begin without delay.

Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, who visited Devaraja Market on May 11, was among those who demanded immediate restoration of the two heritage structures.

The apex court’s May 4, 2026 verdict ordering restoration of Devaraja Market and Lansdowne Building has come as a relief for traders and tenants who had opposed demolition and reconstruction, citing the market’s heritage value and architectural significance.

The Lansdowne Building has remained out of bounds for traders for several years after a portion of the structure collapsed, forcing many to run businesses from makeshift shops near the site.