ITDC for Mysore's proposal on 'destination tourism'

The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has planned an ambitious programme for Mysore to make it a major tourist destination.

Night bazaars at Dasara Exhibition and Banni Mantap grounds, musical fountain at Nishat Bagh, floating fountains and illumination at Kukkarahalli Lake.

In addition to these, it has planned floating a restaurant at Dalvoy Lake on Mysore-Nanjangud Road, illuminated welcome arches at tollgates are covered in the 'destination tourism' development package proposed by the Mysore City Corporation Commissioner A B Ibrahim.

Ibrahim had made the proposal to the state tourism department which in turn had forwarded the proposal to the ITDC.

After a two-day visit to tourist spots and discussions with officials and prominent personalities of Mysore, ITDC vice-president (consultancy) Niraj Bachkheti announced in Mysore that the corporation will sanction Rs 5 crore in July for the project.

Incidentally, Mysore will be the first city in Karnataka to come under the 'destination tourism' proposal, while such schemes have been implemented elsewhere in the country.

The ITDC vice-president said he will meet the state tourism commissioner on April 20 in Bangalore and after further discussions will submit a report to the Union tourism ministry within three weeks.

The funds will be sanctioned in July next and soon after that, work will begin on the projects to make Mysore a tourist destination.