Rs 4.98 cr grant for works at Palace

Amba Vilas Palace, one of the prime attractions of Mysore is soon expected to get a facelift, as the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned Rs 4.98 crore for developmental works in and around the Palace.

In a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary, Kaushik Mukherjee in Bangalore, on Monday, he instructed officials of Mysore district administration to chalk out an action plan for the works that can be taken up at the Palace.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Mukherjee said that though the list of works that can be taken up with the projects is still unclear, restoration of paintings inside the Palace, gold leafing works inside Darbar Hall, illumination, and works on temples inside the Palace premises would be considered.

“We want to use the fund allocated for substantial works within the Palace. A consultant will be appointed to understand the real need of the works to be taken up,” he said, adding that funds could also be used for projects like Raja Marga. The consultant will be appointed by the Tourism department.

“No works will be taken up without consulting the Palace Board. The original state of the historic Palace will not be altered in any way,” he said.

The funds were released following a proposal by the department to the Ministry of Tourism, for concreting roads in front of the Palace, three years ago.

However, the State government was not keen on the said project, and had decided to use it for other developmental works, Mukherjee said.

Visit

Mukherjee will also visit the Palace in the next fortnight to discuss the projects that could be taken up with the Palace Board and Tourism department authorities.|

T S Subramanya, Deputy Director of Mysore Palace Board said that there was a list of 40 projects that could be taken up by using the sanctioned funds.

“Depending on the feasibility, we will consider what projects that can be taken up,” he added.

In-charge Deputy Commissioner, Mysore, S Palaiah, Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary Tourism department, Arvind Jhadav, and Deputy Director of Tourism department, Mysore, K S Shivalingappa, were present in the meeting.