Mysuru: Mysore Palace is one of the most beautiful Palaces in the world which has maximum number of footfalls. Sadly, it lacks good toilet facilities. However, it will be a thing of the past, as it will soon have green toilets.

Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep, who is also the Executive Officer of Mysore Palace Board said, “The tourists used to complain regularly that the toilet facility in the world famous Mysore Palace is very poor. Hence, the proposed toilet, which will be free of cost will be very useful for the tourists. Since this is a heritage building, we started the work only after taking permission from the Heritage Department.”

According to Randeep, the old ladies toilet block will now be converted into gent’s toilet block. Meanwhile, the first phase work of construction of women’s toilet and the room for physically challenged and a baby care room is complete and will be inaugurated before Dec. 23. The renovation of the men’s toilet room will be completed in four to five months.

Such a facility has also been proposed at Kukkarahalli Lake and two other tourist places, he said and added that the CII and Automative Axles will take up this proposal at their meeting and take a decision.

Muthukumar, former Chairman, CII, Mysuru and Whole- time Director of Automotive Axles, Mysuru, said that when Mysuru got the cleanest city tag for the first time, the industrialists and members of CII got together to do something for the city and on the advice of DC Randeep decided to construct toilets around public places. Accordingly, the new toilet facility has been constructed in Mysore Palace with separate ones for men and women and also an exclusive one for physically challenged, which was not part of the existing toilet at the Palace premises, he added.

The total cost of the project is around Rs.1.3 crore and CII and Automotive Axles will maintain it in the beginning and later a Trust will be formed to take up the maintenance of these toilets, said Muthukumar.

Palace Board to manage CCTVs

Meanwhile, the management of CCTVs, which was in the hands of Keonics, a Government of Karnataka enterprise, has been taken over by the Mysore Palace Board after terminating the contract with them.

Based on the agreement between the Board and Keonics, the latter was supposed to maintain the CCTVs till Dec. 25, 2017. However, since Keonics failed to respond to repeated notices to set right defunct cameras and operate the control room, the contract was terminated.

Of the total 109 cameras, over 30 had become obsolete almost eight months ago. As a result, the control room was shut down posing security risk.

The Palace Board has now strengthened security at two new entrances, Jayarama- Balarama Gate and Ambavilas Gate with baggage scanners and doorframe metal detectors, which were opened in October during Dasara celebrations.

A source said that the Board will invite tenders soon from private organisations to maintain CCTVs.