A slew of suggestions from citizens for future of Mysuru

Stakeholders in Mysuru propose long-term development plans, emphasizing heritage preservation, urban planning, and industrial growth.

There was a slew of suggestions from stakeholders on what was imperative for Mysuru’s planned development with a 50 year horizon, at a meeting convened by the district administration here on Saturday.

It was chaired by district in charge Minister H.C. Mahadevappa who averred that stakeholders would be consulted before conceiving a long-term plan for the city.

Bhamy V. Shenoy of Mysore Grahakara Parishat said the need of the hour was ward committees that have not been constituted. He said if done it would result in better consultative process at the grassroots.

He also rued that such open meetings without involvement of professional urban planners and urban architects will have little value as it will only generate opinion based on personal experience and not solutions based on professional competence and expertise.  

N.S. Rangaraju of INTACH Mysuru, said there were 18 heritage roads notified in the city but they were being swamped by commercial buildings in violation of the law and called for curbs. He also said storm-water drains or rajakaluves – stretching to about 16 k.m. – have been encroached and it must be cleared and no development should be authorized which mars the heritage component of the city.

Urgranarasimhe Gowda, activist and progressive farmer, called for curbing the proliferation of private layouts and wanted the responsibility to be vested with Mysuru Urban Development Authority to pave the way for planned growth. He also called for decentralised bus terminals around Outer Ring Road to cater to suburban and rural areas and help decongest the city.

P.V. Nanjaraje Urs, former professor, said Mysuru had historical importance and the city’s heritage character should not be diluted at the altar of economic development. He said there should be an end to “destruction of Chamundi Hills” in the guise of development so as to help conserve its natural character.