India, July 9 -- Sir,

I write to express my dismay over a development at the premises of the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), South Western Railway, Mysuru Division.

During my visit yesterday, I witnessed the ground surrounding the iconic heritage building being cleaned and prepared for the laying of concrete interlocking tiles, spanning an estimated 300 metres in length and 8 metres in width. While this may appear to enhance surface aesthetics or ease maintenance, it undermines critical environmental principles.

Open-to-sky ground surfaces play a vital role in allowing rainwater to percolate and recharge the groundwater table - an issue of increasing concern across urban India. Both Government policies and environmental organisations...