Information, Tourism and Kannada and Culture Department Secretary I M VIthalamurthy said that Anegundi Utsav would be held in the second week of January.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Vithalamurthy said that the exact date of the festival was not finalised though January 14 could be the tentative date of commencement of the event.

Camps would be organised in Bangalore, Mysore, Dharwad, Mangalore and Gulbarga to provide information to media persons on culture, tradition and various festivals of the State, he said adding that steps would be taken to hold festivals on larger scales next time. The Hampi Utsav was a success despite a few hiccups and more facilities would be provided next time and arrangements made well in advance, he said maintaining that standing committees on Mysore Dasara and Hampi Utsav would be constituted my March end and officials would be appointed for smooth conduct of the events.

The ‘Palace on Wheel’ concept was set to take shape soon and it would be run on an experimental basis by the month end.

The Rs 37 crore rail project would be officially open to the public in December, he said adding that the trains which would leave Bangalore would return to the State capital.