Vision 2025: Mysureans want heritage structures preserved

Suggestions poured in for 'Vision 2025' with officials of various departments and the public urging for a ‘Heritage Authority’ to preserve and promote heritage structures in the city and also a separate authority for conducting Dasara celebrations and metro rail service.

The government has formed teams based on five themes — Urban Infrastructure and Smart Cities; Social Justice, Healthcare and Education; Agriculture and Rural Development; Industrial Development, Services, Employment and Skill Development; Governance, Law and Justice. Each team has 20 members, including officials, citizens and members of various organisations. Even individuals can submit their suggestions for Vision 2025.

Satellite towns

Members of Urban, Infrastructure, Smart Cities suggested separate bodies to maintain and promote heritage structures and an authority for Dasara celebration. At present, a high power committee is headed by the Chief Minister and comprises ministers, Mysuru Deputy Commissioner and others. The members also documented metro rail project in Mysuru. The members also proposed developing Koorgalli, Hootagalli, Metagalli, Belakavadi industrial areas on the lines of Electronic City in Bengaluru and also recommended developing Nanjangud, Bannur, T Narasipur and Srirangapatna as satellite towns.

'Restore old charm'

Bhamy V Shenoy of Mysore Grahaka Parishat (MGP) said that ‘Vision Mysore 2025’ should be developed to bring back the traditional charm and restore the fame of Mysuru as the cultural capital of Karnataka. The heritage structures and architecture of buildings such as Krishna Rajendra Hospital (K R Hospital), Town Hall, Lansdowne Building should be preserved, they stated. “When any heritage building is razed, the exterior should be maintained like Amsterdam city. Even new buildings should be encouraged to be designed with Mysuru’s architecture, which adds to the old charm of any city,” he suggested.

Members of Social Justice, Healthcare, Education proposed the appointment of teachers to schools before the commencement of the academic year and also develop e-libraries and ensure education for all sectors.

Asphalt roads

The farmers suggested asphalting of 4,795.88 km road and development of 1,350 villages in the district. They also recommended solid waste management units at 263 villages, and skill development training programmes for non-agriculture people in rural Mysuru. The members also suggested minimising tobacco cultivation area and encourage horticulture crops.

City Police Commissioner Dr A Subramanyeshwar Rao, who spoke about governance, law and justice suggested the establishment of a police university and 75% reservation for students of the varsity in police recruitment. Mysuru Central Jail Superintendent P V Anand Reddy suggested that jails must be designed to meet the present day needs.

Mysuru Industries Association secretary Suresh Kumar Jain aired an idea to form separate clusters for various industrial sectors.

The Vision-2025 document project will run for a period of five months and people can submit suggestions through social media platforms such as facebook, twitter and WhatsApp. Log on to: www.navakarnataka2025.in