34 days to go for Dasara…

• Faded name boards   
• Uprooted stone balustrades  
• Rusted bins

Mysuru: Even as the famed Mysuru Dasara is round the corner, the name boards at Karikallu Thotti Gate, the entry gate to Mysore Palace from Sayyaji Rao Road side, located right opposite Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Main Office, are in a deplorable state, with words erased and boards worn out due to vagaries of weather and passage of time.

The name boards, identifying the Palace Board and the Office of Deputy Director, Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, are of little help to visitors in their present condition.

The neglect of authorities in repainting the boards has only added to the difficulties faced by lakhs of tourists, who may find it difficult to make out addresses, directions & other guiding signs.

With the countdown to the grand Dasara celebrations already underway, the worn-out name boards and lack of proper directional signs have left tourists wondering where the Palace Board Office and the Archaeology Department Office are located. It is high time the authorities woke up and got the name boards repainted in larger, clearer lettering.

Footpath balustrades uprooted

Meanwhile, the concrete balustrades installed by the MCC along the footpath in front of the CADA (Cauvery) Office and directly opposite the MCC Office, have been uprooted at several places.

The balustrades were installed to prevent motorists from driving onto the footpaths, curb encroachments and stop two-wheelers from using the footpath as a shortcut to avoid traffic.

The uprooting of the balustrades has raised questions over the quality of the concrete poles, which are reportedly poorly reinforced. It has also exposed the poor quality of the work, with some poles getting uprooted easily.

In Bengaluru, metal balustrades installed along footpaths have remained sturdy for years. In Mysuru, however, the concrete balustrades appear to have failed to withstand regular use, with improper installation adding to the problem. The uprooted poles pose a threat to pedestrians and motorists, particularly at night.

The MCC authorities must act swiftly to prevent any mishap and replace the damaged and uprooted balustrades with sturdier ones at the earliest.