Restoration of KR Hospital heritage building, Ayurveda college to serve as model

The heritage buildings are attached to Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMCRI) and authorities have decided to follow the model of the Government Ayurveda College building considering that it is one of the heritage structures in Mysuru.

The ayurvedic college building is being restored to its original splendour under the supervision of professionals who are skilled in the work of restoring heritage buildings. The repair work has been planned in a way that does not affect the building's original design. MMCRI authorities, led by Dean and Director Dr H N Dinesh, examined the restoration work of the Sayyaji Rao Road Ayurveda College building. They are said to have instructed engineers from the medical education and health departments to model the MMCRI restoration work after the Ayurveda College building.

Dr Dinesh told The Hindu that authorities are preparing a detailed project report while maintaining the heritage norms. The construction work will continue following the advice of the heritage experts, and the original architecture will be kept intact. "All care will be taken. The (restoration) model of the Ayurveda college building has been suggested to our engineers who will take a call and proceed," he added.

He also added that they have deployed workers from Jharkhand and outsourced materials like lime and mortar from the northern States to provide the best quality of work. "The estimates are being prepared by our engineers keeping all factors in mind since heritage buildings are being restored. The government has already announced ₹89 crores for the renovation," the dean said.

Previously Medical Dialogues reported that the Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced an allocation of ₹89 crores during the budget presentation to renovate the buildings of KR Hospital in conformation with heritage rules. The allocation was long-awaited because the infrastructure was in a bad shape due to a lack of regular maintenance and require a comprehensive renovation. K.R. Hospital, Cheluvamba Hospital, and PKTB Hospital will be renovated during the following three years before the MMCRI's centennial celebrations begin in 2024.

The MMCRI has planned to complete the renovation earlier than scheduled and has demanded immediate release of funds. The PKTB sanatorium will also be upgraded into a facility for pulmonary medicine. The Karnataka Government has received a proposal to convert the present campus into a centre similar to the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases in Bengaluru.

However, this project is unlikely to receive funding. When K.R. Hospital had to put up a fight against COVID-19, it became evident that the PKTB needed degradation, reports The Hindu. "The detailed project report for the restoration of heritage hospital buildings will be ready soon. The work will be taken up at the earliest," said Dr Dinesh.