Greens see red over plans for hills

The announcement of chief minister B S Yeddyurappa that the Chamundi Hills in Mysore would be developed on the lines of the famous pilgrim centre in Andhra Pradesh, Tirupathi, has received flak from NGOs and environmentalists.

Despite the opposition, the famous topurist attraction of Mysore, which has a unique place historically and spiritually associated with the erstwhile royal family and the people of Mysore, apart from attracting pilgrims from across the country, will see improvements of the facilities for the large number of visitors and worshippers to the Chamundeswari Temple.

During his visit to the hills on July 24, the chief minister had announced that the tourist centre would be modelled on the lines of Tirupathi and directed the officials to take up improvement of the hills and its 1,000 steps crisscrossing about 800 feet from bottom to top.

Immediately after this, the officials concerned under the chairmanship of deputy commissioner Manivannan had met twice and decided on initiating works to develop the hills. The DC went up by the flight of steps and visited the temple to examine works needed to be take up and directed removal of unauthorised petty shops mushrooming at the approach to the temple causing traffic congestion and inconvenience to pilgrims.

Over the years, a large number of tin-roofed shops have sprung up to the statue of monster Mahishashura and even legal and illegal structures have destroyed the sanctity of the pilgrim centre and created an unhygienic environment in the vicinity. The lack of proper parking facilities for the large number of vehicles, particularly buses, has added to the woes of the pilgrims.

The age-old Mantaps or structures have been illegally occupied and turned shelters for illegal activities, sometimes causing fear and anxiety among the hill-climbers.

Taking into consideration these aspects, the DC had launched the work on relaying the 1,000 steps, credited to Devaraja Wodeyar, who ruled from 1659 to 1673.

In response to criticism from the public who want the hills to be developed in keeping with its unique place in Mysore, the DC has listed the five improvement measures proposed by him and convened a meeting of all those interested tomorrow (August 4) in his chambers for their opinion and suggestions.

The development works Manivannan has listed comprises of resetting and levelling of the 1,000 steps without damaging them (pilgrims who have climbed up the flight of steps to worship Chamundeswari have carved their ‘Bhakta Vigrahas’ (sketches of devotees) on many of the steps over the last few centuries.

Besides, he has also proposed the development of the road to ‘Devikere’ (temple pond) and built shops on both sides, landscaping on either side of the Mahabaleswara Temple, the oldest atop the hills, a park opposite the ‘Dasoha Bhavana’ (feeding centre), street lights from Mahishasura statue to the temple, and drinking water for pilgrims on the northern side of the temple.