Mysuru: The department of Fire and Emergency Services has submitted a fresh proposal to the state govt for construction of a mega fire station at a cost of Rs 30 crore at Saraswathipuram unit. The department expects fund allocation during the 2026-27 budget, which will be presented by chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday. Speaking to TOI, district fire and emergency services officer Gururaj confirmed that a proposal for a Rs 30 crore new fire station and staff quarters was submitted to the govt. However, Rangaraju, a former member of the district heritage committee and historian, said instead of constructing a new fire station and housing quarters, the state govt could renovate the existing heritage structure in Saraswathipuram. The century-old heritage fire station, which was constructed by the Maharajas of Mysuru in 1898, is in a dilapidated state after a part of it collapsed due to heavy rainfall. The project for renovation of the heritage fire station building was in a limbo for the last six years due to objections from the district heritage committee over making changes to a heritage structure. The fresh proposal from the fire department aims to build a structure based on the heritage model of the existing one, without demolishing the old edifice. The century-old quarters built for 64 fire station personnel is also in a dilapidated state, forcing staff to move to rented accommodations. The fire department has proposed building new staff quarters on the same premises. Even though the district heritage committee demanded renovation of the country-tiled roof of the fire station, in line with other heritage structures, a team of construction experts and officials from Mysuru City Corporation and PWD inspected the old structure and recommended construction of a new fire station, along with staff quarters. Chamaraja MLA K Harishgowda said: “I’m hopeful the CM will announce fund allocation for the new fire station in his budget speech.”
