The Hindu : Karnataka News : Tourism poised to get a boost in Mysore

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 28, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Tourism poised to get a boost in Mysore

By R. Krishna Kumar

The Nandi statue atop Chamundi Hills.

MYSORE, SEPT. 27. Mysore never had it so good as a number of proposals to boost tourism are likely to get the Union Government's nod, kindling hopes of the city of palaces emerging as one of the most popular destinations in India.

Project proposals submitted by the State for tourism development are being viewed favourably by the Centre while funds have been sanctioned for creating infrastructure around Mysore, including Kodagu.

Chamundi Hills development

Sources in the Tourism Department said projects specific to Mysore included development of Chamundi Hills and its periphery at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.23 crores.

Though the details of the project are being fine-tuned, the Centre is said to have evinced interest in the development of Chamundi Hills for eco-tourism, spiritual tourism, and its potential for adventure sports, and may approve the project.

Facilities

Chamundi Hills is a popular centre for pilgrimage and the presiding deity, goddess Chamundeshwari, is worshipped in myriad forms across the nation. In view of the growing number of pilgrims, the authorities have sought funds to improve infrastructure atop the hills without compromising its ecological integrity.

The development of Chamundi Hills also includes installing railings and grills by the side of the steps for the benefit of tourists climbing the hill, and the area around the splendid Nandi statue. Basic amenities, including construction of toilets and making provision for drinking water atop the hills, is also high on the agenda.

Ropeway

The proposal to construct a ropeway to Chamundi Hills is also being revived by the Centre. Meanwhile, the Tourism Department here has received instructions and a communiqué from the higher authorities not to go in for any high-rise buildings around Chamundi Hills, which is an indicator that the Government is taking cognisance of the imperatives of conserving the ecosystem of the hills.

Green belt

Non-governmental organisations and citizens have already made submissions to the Government on conserving the open space and green belt around Chamundi Hills given its cultural, spiritual, and environmental importance to Mysore.

Other developments of significance include upgrading Hotel Hoysala operated by the State Tourism Department at an estimated cost of Rs. 80 lakhs. The office of the Tourism Department at the old exhibition building would be shifted to a new complex within the Hoysala premises and it would be a one-stop information centre for tourists.

Funds released

The Centre has already released the first instalment of Rs.1.57 crores towards tourism development in Kodagu. The entire project is estimated to cost Rs. 5.5 crores while the development of the proposed Kodagu Heritage Centre is expected to cost an additional Rs. 88.75 lakhs and is expected to be released in due course.

Other projects having a bearing on tourism in Mysore include the development of the Dubare elephant camp. Development and promotion of trekking routes in Nagarahole to promote adventure tourism is estimated to cost Rs. 95.30 lakhs.

More tourists

The Government's decision to celebrate Dasara in a grand manner has paid rich dividends and the number of tourists has increased dramatically. This is evident in the figures available from the palace, art gallery, zoo, and the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam and Brindavan Gardens. While 14.19 lakh tourists visited the palace in 2002, the number increased to 16.45 lakhs in 2003, and the number has already crossed the 12-lakh mark in the first eight months of the current year. Sources said there was every possibility of a record number of tourists visiting Mysore this year as the tourism season that commences in September peaks in October to synchronise with the Dasara. While 46,726 tourists visited the palace in September 2002, the number increased to 1.10 lakhs during the same period in 2003. The figures for September 2004 are yet to be collated but it is expected to break the previous year's record.

The figures for palace are reckoned to reflect a fairly accurate picture of the number of tourists visiting Mysore as it is believed that very few tourists leave out the palace from their tour itinerary. Similarly, the number of tourists visiting the Mysore Zoo has increased from 11.82 lakhs in 2002 to nearly 20 lakhs in 2003, which is almost double the previous year's figure. The KRS Dam and Brindavan Gardens too witnessed a dramatic rise in the number of tourists. As against 9.82 lakh visitors in 2002, more than 18.44 lakhs visited it in 2003. As on August 31 this year, more than 13 lakh tourists visited the dam though the Brindavan Gardens is still under renovation and is yet to regain its full glory.

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