Sir,

After reading Nikam’s article “Destination Devaraja Market” and the use of 3.5 acres of land of market for development (SOM dated Oct. 27), I would like to share my view as a Tourism Professional. The economy of Mysuru depends on Tourism Industry and the main attraction of this city is the Mysore Palace. We have to keep in mind that a tourist will return or recommend a city only if he has a good trip experience. As a growing city we should not repeat the mistakes of  Bengaluru.

Devaraja Market is an old-world charm of Mysuru and a heritage building. I would suggest that if the Market is not strong it should be demolished but on one condition that the same Market has to be recreated in its place because international visitors come to the Market to have a glimpse into the life of a localite, which is a thrilling experience for them coming from concrete cities like New York and London.

Even the vendors should be allowed to sell their products in the same way. When you try to modernise it, the place loses its charm and we don’t want tourists to feel that heritage monuments in India are getting demolished for the sake of development.

We should learn from Jayanagar in Bengaluru that if not properly planned even beautiful neighbourhoods get converted into shopping areas as the city grows. We should not make Mysuru city centre like Bengaluru’s Majestic and K.R.Market which are congested areas.

The main attraction for tourists is the Mysore Palace in the city centre and if there is any further congestion it will lead to bad experience for tourists. I have seen how Mysuru has changed in the last 25 years and now prefer not to go to city centre because I get things in our area itself and also because of parking and traffic problems.

Let us not make our city a concrete jungle but instead follow horizontal growth and retain the tag of greenest city and be a model city for development in India, like the Maharajas did in the past with proper planning.

Hence, from tourism point of view, leave the heritage structures the way they are and commercially develop Mysuru from Ring Road outside towards the Satellite Towns. This will prevent traffic of goods vehicles coming to city centre. If you plan this now, maybe 25 years later one will realise how this move has saved tourism in Mysuru.  I hope the Tourism Minister, who is from Mysuru, will agree with me.

– Sanjay Kini, Mysuru, 31.10.2018

You can also mail us your views, opinions, and stories to [email protected]