Mysuru Dasara Exhibition to last year-long; extensions to Davangere, Shivamogga, Ballari, Belagavi being planned

Mysuru: Plans have begun to extend the Mysuru Dasara Exhibition beyond the festive period and run it year-long, with extensions to Davangere, Shivamogga, Ballari, and Belagavi also being planned.

Addressing a media conference here on Saturday, Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) Chairman Ayub Khan said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has released Rs 20 crore for two works in the first phase, following the recommendation of Mysuru District in-charge Minister H C Mahadevappa and Tourism Minister H K Patil, to facilitate tourist engagement on all days of the year.

Khan said that while Rs 10 crore will be spent on developing the 154 commercial stalls, on the concept of Belur-Halebid temple architecture, the remaining Rs 10 crore will be used to develop a music fountain, in the space that already has normal fountains.

“The works are expected to be completed by Dasara, which begins on September 22. Once the Dasara exhibition concludes in December, the exhibition will continue on the same grounds as the Doddakkere Maidan, in another form. The stalls will be developed on an area of one acre and 30 guntas, on the total 83-acre land of the Dasara Exhibition Grounds of the KEA. The enclosure will have a sub-entrance of the Hoysala style, a cafeteria, an open theatre and a washroom complex,” Khan said.

He added that the musical fountain will be the ‘one of its kind in South India’ - advanced and extensive, compared to the musical fountain in Brindavan Gardens of Krishnaraja Sagar Dam.

“A gallery would be built around it, to give a better view for visitors. An amusement park will be developed on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, to reduce the expenses and maintenance problems. Other works, that are a part of a Rs 47 crore project, will be implemented in phases, as and when the funds are available,” Khan said.

He said the all-season exhibition and its activities will give a boost to the tourism industry in and around Mysuru.

“At present, there is no activity to keep the tourists engaged, after sunset. So, they used to travel back to their native or to other destinations like Kodagu, Wayanad or Ooty. The development by KEA will entertain them and encourage them to stay back in Mysuru,” Khan said.

He said, the KEA, as per its bylaw, is looking beyond Mysuru and initially exhibitions will be held in four districts – Davanagere, Shivamogga, Ballari and Belagavi.

“We are visiting Ballari and Belagavi next to hold talks with the Deputy Commissioners to identify lands to hold the exhibition,” Khan said.

In reply to a question, Khan said, the stench of the stormwater drain, that runs in the middle of the grounds, cannot be avoided, but some plants will be grown on its banks, to reduce the foul smell.

KEA Chief Executive Officer Rudresh said, like in previous years, this year also Summer Mela would be held.

“This year, the problem of stagnation of rainwater was comparatively reduced. Further, the drains will be desilted and de-clogged to avoid flooding of stalls,” he said.

Former chairman of KEA R Murthy and ex-corporators K V Mallesh and Raghu Raje Urs were present.