100-year old Murphy-town library razed to give way to Indira canteen

The state government had proposed the archaeological department to enlist the library as a heritage building. The Murphy Town market was scheduled to be razed for a multi-storey parking space. Surprisingly, the Hoysalanagar corporator Anand Kumar S did not know that the building was enlisted as a heritage site.

The Indira canteen project has gained enough controversy because of the Indira Canteen project. While the tree-cutting row has added on to the controversy, what is bothering the citizens is that the project is also ignoring the cultural heritage of the monuments that are coming its way. The century-old Murphy-town library building is one of the most important landmarks in the city. However, its early morning demolition by the BBMP has taken everyone by shock. 

The library was an integral part of the Murphy Town Market's history. It was also one of the oldest reading rooms in the city, which existed even in the pre-independence era during the 1900s. The cultural heritage of the building was of such importance that the government had proposed the state archaeological department to include it in the list of heritage buildings. 

The citizens in the area were prepared for the razing of the heritage market for a multi-storied parking unit. However, razing down the building has come as a shock. Speaking to the Bangalore Mirror, one of the traders in the area, Abdul Haleem said, "The BBMP was planning to demolish the market, but we never expected that the library would be brought down for Indira Canteen. No doubt the building is very old and needed repairs, but it is a heritage structure as declared by the government. To avoid any commotion, the authorities demolished it early in the morning and before anybody could realise, the library was gone."

Much to the surprise of the citizens, Hoysalanagar corporator Anand Kumar S said that he was not aware that the library was enlisted as a heritage structure. Speaking to the Bangalore Mirror, he said, "The zonal joint commissioner took the decision to have an Indira Canteen in place of the library. I am not aware of its heritage status."

Murphy Town got its name after W H Murphy, who served as the executive engineer of the municipal council, Bangalore Civil and Military station. He was responsible for designing the sanitation works of Austin Town and designing and execution of some of old Bengaluru's prominent buildings like the Russell Market. Meanwhile, citizens believe that there could have been a roundabout option to save the building, which could have lasted for 100 more years. Clearly, Bengaluru indeed needs a heritage law.