38 CCTV cameras to 'keep an eye' on Exhibition Grounds

A third gate to come up for the venue near Mall of Mysore

Following repeated complaints about the general public being swindled at the parking facility of Dasara Exhibition Grounds, Karnataka Exhibition Authority has taken measures to curb the same.

In coordination with the police, as many as 38 cameras will be installed both inside and outside the Grounds, said H T Chandrashekar, Chief Executive Officer of Karnataka Exhibition Authority.

He said that installation of these cameras will prevent cases of harassment, and will assist the local police in addressing complaints of the general public. Apart from parking woes, pickpocketing and mobile theft cases also occur frequently inside the Exhibition Grounds. “All necessary measures will be taken to prevent inconveniences to the public,” he said. A total of 18 cameras were installed at Exhibition Grounds last year.

Three entry points

In order to avoid congestion at the main gate, opposite Amba Vilas Palace, of the Grounds, and Ittigegoodu Gate, a third entrance will be opened during the 90 day long exhibition this year.

The third gate will be near the Mall of Mysore, on M G Road, where there is ten acres land that can be utilised for parking, Chandrashekar said. “The three gates will be along the Pragathi Maidan, New Delhi model, where there are 12 gates for entrance to the grounds,” he said.

Works for the installation of the third gate have already been taken up and will be ready, prior to the inauguration of the exhibition on September 25.

Instructions have also been sent to the Mysore City Corporation to plug the flow of sewage water into the storm water drain, located close to the Grounds.

“Sewage water results in a bad smell inside the Exhibition Grounds. Following repeated requests, MCC has plugged the flow of sewage in two places. However, they have to divert sewage flow into the drain from two more lines, in order to keep the storm water drain free from sewage,” he said.

Oushadi Vana

In order to raise awareness among the visitors about medicinal plants, an ‘Oushadi Vana’ (Medicine Park) will also come up inside the Grounds. The park will be situated close to the Horticulture farm at the Grounds and is being developed along with the Government Ayurvedic College in the city.

Medicinal plants will be planted in the shape of a tree, with details on the uses of the plants displayed to the visitors, he said.

With the exhibition being held for 90 days, each district of the State has been given three days each to depict the cultural heritage of their respective districts. The programmes will be organised by the Kannada and Culture department.

He said that the entry fee for visitors will be the same as last year, with Rs 15 for adults, Rs 10 for children between 5-10 years and senior citizens, and free for children below five years of age.