The long-pending proposal to convert former Chief of Army Staff Gen K S Thimayya’s residence in Madikeri into a heritage site and museum will soon be a reality, according to Principal Secretary of Kannada and Culture I M Vittala Murthy.
Mr Murthy, who participated in the General Thimayya’s 102 birth anniversary celebrations on Monday, assured that Sunnyside mansion, the residence of the former Chief of Army Staff, will soon be converted into a heritage site and museum.
The proposal had been announced by former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa in the 2005 state budget. However, there has been no progress in this regard; the building now houses the District Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Madikeri.
He added that the RTO will be shifted to a new location, and the Department of Kannada and Culture will allocate Rs 1 crore to set up the museum. Earlier, Mr Murthy placed a wreath at the former Army Chief’s memorial at the ASC Centre (south).
The programme was attended by senior officers of the Army, and members of the Federation of Kodava Samajas.