A controversy has erupted in Mysuru over civil works at the century-old Vani Vilasa Water Works (VVWW), the headquarters of the water supply arm of the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC). Heritage experts and civic authorities are sharply divided over the structure's historical value and the nature of the ongoing repairs.
Details of the Controversy
The MCC has removed roof tiles of the VVWW building and stripped the plaster for repairs, claiming the structure had developed cracks and water was seeping through the walls. Located on KRS Road, the building is regarded as an important landmark linked to Mysuru's early public water supply system. Built in the early 19th century using traditional lime and mortar, it reflects construction practices common before the widespread use of modern cement and concrete.
Heritage Experts' Concerns
NS Rangaraju, a historian and former member of the Mysuru District Heritage Committee, and convenor of the Intach Mysuru chapter, stated that the structure is more than a century old and built using lime and mortar. He emphasized that it should be treated with caution due to its age and architectural character. He claimed that the materials and construction style indicate heritage significance, even if the building is not formally protected. He argued that any intervention should follow conservation norms rather than routine repair methods.
Civic Authorities' Position
Civic authorities have denied that the building qualifies as a heritage structure. Officials maintain that the property is not included in the official heritage list and therefore does not require special conservation treatment. MCC commissioner Shaik Tanveer Asif said the main office building of VVWW is not a heritage structure. He noted that as its condition was deteriorating, minor repair works were taken up to prevent water leakage from the roof. However, he claimed that the premises houses another structure—Jewel House, which contains a water filter unit and is considered a heritage structure.
Call for Expert Restoration
Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, matriarch of the Mysuru royal family, has urged the government to involve experts in restoring heritage structures like Lansdowne Building and Devaraja Market. Claiming that the Supreme Court has ordered the restoration and renovation of these long-pending structures, she said in a release on Wednesday that with the legal hurdle cleared, the government should not entrust the work to the Public Works Department (PWD). Instead, the responsibility should be assigned to experts in heritage conservation.
