Karnataka   

Rs. 70 crore under JNNURM to help Mysore city retain its `old world charm'

Staff Correspondent

Government-appointed STUP Consultants has begun data collection on the royal city's tourism potential

VINTAGE: The Mysore Palace is among the monuments that showcase Mysore as a heritage city. — FILE PHOTO

MYSORE: Under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the Union Government is expected to spend up to Rs. 70 crore towards helping Mysore retain its "old world charm".

Disclosing this to presspersons after presiding over a consultative meeting to prepare a project report for the tourism component of the JNNURM scheme at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Mysore on Thursday, Tourism Commissioner G. Kumar Naik said the State Government-appointed consultants for the project, STUP Consultants, Bangalore, had begun data collection on the Mysore's tourism potential.

Report

After the report is completed in the next 35 days, Mr. Kumar Naik said the proposal would be sent to the Union Government for approval. "Mysore will receive up to Rs. 70 crore for tourism under JNNURM," he said. He pointed out that Mysore had been chosen for the JNNURM scheme on the strength of its "heritage" value. "Mysore was selected for the scheme only because it is a heritage city. Mysore and Varanasi have been chosen for the scheme exclusively for their heritage character," Mr. Kumar Naik said.

While the upkeep of the heritage monuments will fall under the purview of Heritage Commissioner, the JNNURM will take care of areas outside the heritage monuments.

"The alignment and décor of major roads will be made compatible with the heritage character of the city. There will be a look and feel of heritage in the city," he said. Even the lampshades and grillwork will be distinctly heritage, he added

`Bangalore way'

Claiming that the authorities are keen to ensure that "Mysore does not go the Bangalore way," Mr. Kumar Naik said a host of programmes would be drawn up to ensure that Mysore retained the "old world charm". Schemes under the tourism component of JNNURM would seek to propagate the heritage element, he said.

Chamundi Hills

Besides, programmes will be taken up for illuminating the Chamundi Hills — the road as well as the steps. Arrangements will be made to provide drinking water and build toilets for visitors at all places of tourist attraction. "Next generation parking as well as easy accessibility to roads leading to tourist places will be planned," he said.

Mr. Kumar Naik said the authorities were exploring the idea of including Somnathpur, Krishnarajasagar and Srirangapatna in the tourism component of JNNURM scheme for Mysore. "We will submit a proposal on this and secure the approval of the Union Government," he said.

However, the Tourism Commissioner ruled out the possibility of construction of hotels for providing accommodation to tourists visiting the city. "But we will encourage the private hospitality industry to set up hotels," he added.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Kumar Naik presided over a consultative meeting involving chief consultant of STUP, A.T. Samuel, and his team of architects, a host of officials representing various institutions of tourist importance such as Mysore zoo, Mysore Palace and Chamundeshwari Temple.

Deputy Commissioner Selva Kumar, Mysore Urban Development Authority Commissioner H.S. Ashokanand, Mysore City Corporation Commissioner K.N. Chandrashekar and INTACH convenor Krishna Vattam attended the meeting.

Mr. Kumar Naik said STUP Consultants had carried out a number of infrastructure-related projects, including the Asian Development Bank-funded schemes in Tumkur and Kolar.

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