MGP objects Mysore Master Plan

Unscientific development may affect originality of heritage city

Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) has raised objections to the Mysore Master Plan (MMP) 2031 prepared for Mysore city by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA), stating that it has more demerits than merits.

MGP President R Chandra Prakash said, MUDA had swept aside the facts concerning the fundamental character of the city while preparing the plan.

The original qualities of the city will change with the implementation of the MMP.
He said, Mysore is not just a city but has the ‘heritage’ tag attached to it. It is not a town to implement the plans unscientifically. “The erstwhile rulers of Mysore had planned the city’s development by establishing City Improvement Trust Board (CITB) long back,” he added.

Noting that the MMP is based on the increasing population without studying traffic congestion in the central part of the city, he said, the MMP has also neglected connectivity to Hunsur, Nanjangud, T Narsipur and other neighbouring towns. Proper connectivity will help development of these towns, which will in turn reduce pressure on Mysore.

Prakash said, the development of the city has been neglected over the past four decades as Bangalore drew all the attention. “Now, Bangalore, which is developed unscientifically, has turned into a ‘garbage city’ from the ‘garden city’. This will be the situation of Mysore if MUDA implements MMP without proper studies,” he added.

He said, MGP has conducted studies through experts, the outcomes of which were raised in meetings with MUDA officials, principal secretary for Urban Development and Joint Secretary to the Chief Minister. However, they have ignored the concerns and have not responded to the recommendations.

He clarified that MGP is not against development, but was only pointing out the inadequacies in the MMP.

He said, Zone A, marked for the Central Business District and Heritage Zone, will harm heritage structures with an increase in commercial activities. The area is not suitable for high vehicular traffic and business. The plan has not concentrated on decongesting traffic in the area.

The plans for multi-level vehicle parking and others will only lead to more traffic congestions in the heart of the city rather than helping development, he added.

Prakash said, MGP is also against the plan being restricted to areas within the ring road. There are many residential localities and private layouts beyond the ring road, which will be neglected. The plan has not thought about the difference between single houses and apartment buildings, which will have to be dealt differently for providing basic facilities like drinking water, UGD, electricity, roads, etc.

MGP member Bhamy V Shenoy said, the elected representatives have ignored the recommendations of MGP by challenging us to file a public interest litigation.
He said, the MGP has highlighted the lack of provisions for universities and educational institution aside from water supply and land for metro rail.