Mysuru: The ‘night rides and drives,’ to the Chamundi Hill could be a thing of the past, once the District Administration enforces the ban of vehicles and people atop the hill after 10 pm. The entry would be barred by installing gates at the entrance to the Hill.

Chamundi Hill that forms the beautiful backdrop to Mysuru and lends its character to the city has always welcomed pilgrims and tourists in lakhs over the years. The drive on the road leading to the Chamundeshwari temple atop the hill is also very scenic, especially in the night when the whole city looks like a fairyland from the top of the Hill.

However, of late, the serenity of the hill is being spoiled as many unruly elements and misguided youth are spoiling the sanctity of the Hill. In the guise of ‘night rides and drives,’ couples and group of youngsters drive up the hill in the middle of the night and indulge in drinking, dancing and other unlawful activities.  

Complaints started pouring from the discerning public about the revelry that the youngsters indulged in thus destroying the peace and calmness at the hill. In fact, two years ago the entry was restricted to the hill after 11 pm. However, of late the number of people moving around even at midnight had increased.

To stop the illegal activities, the police had increased the patrolling. Nevertheless, the young couples in the guise of devotees would hoodwink the Police and involve in unlawful activities.

Hence, the District Administration has decided to install the gates and the work would commence shortly.

Installation of gates

There are three main roads that lead to Chamundi Hill. The one road that leads to the hill is from Tavarekatte, the one next to it leading to the Nandi Bull and the third one is from Uttanhalli Road, the southern side of the hill. The gates would be installed at the entrance of all the three roads. Except the residents on the Hill, the entry is restricted to all others. The gates will be locked after 10 pm and one security personnel will be posted at each of the entrance gate.

CC Cameras

Closed circuit cameras would be installed at the gate entrances to catch the culprits who move around after the entry hours violating the rules. Apart from the three roads, CCTV cameras would be installed at the entrance of the 1,000 steps, by the temple administration.  

DC approves

The Deputy Commissioner has approved the proposal of the Temple Administration to install the gates and the CCTV cameras and asked the authorities to preserve the sanctity of the temple and the hill.

DC Randeep who held a meeting with the temple authorities regarding the development works atop the Hill, asked the Temple’s Executive Officer  K.M. Prasad to complete the works at the earliest.

Hill residents not affected

The residents of the Chamundi Hill will not be inconvenienced because of the measures being taken by the Temple Administration and the District Administration to restrict the entry of vehicles and people after 10 pm to the Hill. The inhabitants of the Hill, fed up with the illegal activities and the disturbance created due to drinking, dancing and other unlawful activities had complained to the administration to put a halt to such activities. In the light of the ban of entry of private vehicles during Aashada Fridays and Varadanthi Mahotsava, directions have been given to the Panchayat Development Officer to provide voters list of the residents to the Police. Passes would be issued to each household owning a car or scooter. These passes could be used throughout the year. If there is an emergency in the middle of the night, the gates would be opened to such pass holders.