Mysore gets Rs 3.32 cr tourism plan

Mysore has become the first city in Karnataka to secure approval for a scheme under the 'tourist destination development projects'.

Under the scheme approved, Mysore city will get a financial assistance of Rs 3.32 crore for development of religious places and heritage buildings.

In the first phase, Rs 2.66 crore will be made available to the state government as grant-in-aid by the Centre for initiating the scheme through the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).

The works to be undertaken under the scheme are construction of welcome arches on the Mysore, Nanjangud and Hunsur highways; track development and illumination of the park at the Devaur tank; improvement, illumination and installation of road indicators at major circles; and development of the once famous Nishat Bagh garden by undertaking landscaping, illumination and installation of musical fountain.

According to Mayor Bharati, the scheme, drafted by the Mysore City Corporation in coordination with the tourism department officials of the government of India, had been reviewed by a visiting team of officials recently.

Now that the scheme has been approved by the President, it will be the first major step to place Mysore on the international tourist map.

Mysore is famous for over 100 heritage buildings and excellent parks, known for their beauty and upkeep during the Maharajas period.

Of late, these have come to suffer for lack of funds to maintain. The famous 10 painted glass panes of the bandstand at the Nishat Bagh, depicting the Dashavathara, have been irreparably damaged.

The park is in a state of neglect. Though a few heritage buildings on the main throughfares saw improvements with colour wash and illumination since last year, many other buildings continue to be in a neglected state.