MYSORE: A three-day property show, "My Realty 2006", showcasing apartment blocks coming up in Mysore, began here on Friday with experts calling for the growth of the city in conformity with its heritage character.

Former chairman of the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) S. Ramegowda, who was a guest of honour, emphasised the need for Mysore to allow the winds of change to transform the city into a centre for information technology and biotechnology companies.

"Tall buildings should not be allowed to overshadow the famed Mysore Palace or heritage buildings such as Crawford Hall," he said.

Appeal to planners

He appealed to the planners to make wide roads, keeping in mind the increase in vehicular traffic, and develop parks to serve as lung spaces.

Though Dr. Ramegowda recalled with nostalgia the ambience of Mysore during the 1950s when he was a student at a college in the city, he cautioned people against wallowing in the past. "We should not get tied down to the idea of living in the past," he said.

Dr. said many young people from Mysore migrate to bigger cities for employment.

He said the time had come to tell them to stay back in Mysore, as opportunities would emerge within the city.

The Government should pay attention to developing cities such as Mysore so that the pressure on Bangalore could be brought down.

Vertical growth

Former Minister and MLA Tanvir Sait said the vertical growth of the city would check the increasing real estate prices.

Mr. Sait felt the demand for land would come down if the city was allowed to grow vertically. "We need to think about growing vertically. Because land has become precious," he said.

However, vertical growth of the city in a radius of one km from heritage structures should not be allowed, he said.

Development plan

Mr. Sait said the growth in real estate in the city had come at a time when the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) of Mysore was due for revision in 2007. He favoured an open house discussion on the revision of the plan. Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Mysore Zone, P.K. Talpade called for better air connectivity to Mysore to boost its economic prospects.

Mr. Talpade, who is vice-president of L&T, said private-public partnership was essential for Mysore to grow. Connectivity was vital for Mysore to achieve industrial progress, he said.

The three-day-long "My Realty 2006" has been organised by the Builders' Association of India, Mysore chapter. Chairman of BAI, Mysore chapter, K. Sriram and other office-bearers were present.

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