Rs. 12.53 crore global tender floated; more attractive entertainment features this time

Mysuru: Mysuru’s Dasara Exhibition will be held for 90 days this year, with preparations already underway at the Exhibition Grounds to make it more attractive with a host of entertainment and shopping options.

Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman Ayub Khan said, a global tender worth Rs. 12.53 crore has been floated for the exhibition and the contract would be awarded to the highest bidder.

Speaking to reporters at the Authority’s office on the exhibition grounds yesterday, Khan said that the exhibition would open on Oct. 11, the inaugural day of Dasara festivities and continue for three months. “All necessary arrangements are being made. Roads, commercial stalls, amusement parks and Govt. pavilions will be ready before the inauguration,” he said.

Recalling the changes made during his two-and-a-half-year tenure as the Chairman, Khan said that the Authority had revised the tender amount and taken up development works to improve the exhibition.

“Earlier, despite drawing 8.5 lakh visitors, the tender value was fixed at Rs. 9 crore. We revised the tender amount to boost revenue and simultaneously invested in development works to attract more  tourists,” he said.

The changes were also reflected in the visitor numbers and revenue. In 2025, the exhibition attracted 18 lakh visitors and generated Rs. 12.5 crore in revenue, an increase of Rs. 3 crore to Rs. 4 crore in a year, Khan said. Apart from the Dasara Exhibition, the Authority had organised a summer fair and held exhibitions in Belagavi. Plans are also in place to take the exhibitions to Hunsur and Ballari.

“Apart from Delhi’s Pragati Maidan, Mysuru has now emerged as the country’s second major exhibition hub,” Khan said. He also credited former CM Siddaramaiah with supporting the exhibition through the release of grants.