Former MP Prathap Simha says no visible progress on saving heritage structure

Former MP Prathap Simha speaking at Mysore Travel Mart in JCAC yesterday.

Former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Prathap Simha has expressed concern that the proposed renovation of the century-old Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel could meet the same fate as the Lansdowne Building, which he said has been left to deteriorate due to official apathy.

He was speaking at a panel discussion on ‘Mysore Airport: Connecting Mysuru to the World’ held on the second day of the fifth edition of Mysore Travel Mart (MTM-2026) at Jagannatha Centre for Art & Culture (JCAC) in Vijayanagar yesterday.

The event was jointly organised by the Mysuru Travels Association (MTA) and the Karnataka Tourism Department.

Simha said that although State Government has repeatedly promised restoration work of the Lalitha Mahal Palace, there has been little visible progress on the ground.

Warning that further delay could push Lalitha Mahal into the list of neglected heritage structures in Mysuru, Prathap Simha said, local political leaders and industrial stakeholders have not shown adequate commitment to preserving heritage assets.

He also criticised what he termed self-serving political priorities and alleged that development issues are often sidelined.

Addressing certain activists, he said that some protests against tree felling are staged for publicity and fade away after a short period. Urging public participation, he said that citizens must step forward to protect Mysuru’s heritage.

No travel desk at Airport

P.V. Ushakumari, Director, Mysore Airport, highlighted gaps in tourism infrastructure, particularly the absence of a dedicated travel desk at the Airport.

She said that the lack of basic guidance is leaving visitors without reliable information about accommodation and tourist facilities and in some cases, exposing them to fraud.

The Airport Director urged the State Government to address the issue as a priority.

K.B. Lingaraju, President of the Mysore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), said that tourism growth in Mysuru requires visionary leadership and committed public representatives. He stressed the need to balance heritage conservation with modernisation to strengthen the city’s tourism sector.

Prof. M.S. Sapna, Head of the Department of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Mysore (UoM), moderated the session.