Mysuru: Strongly opposing the moves to shift the proposed Film City out of Mysuru, the Mysuru Hotel Owners Association has urged the State Government to set up the Film City only in Mysuru.

Addressing a press meet at Patrakarthara Bhavan here this morning, Association President C. Narayanagowda said that the previous Congress Government headed by Siddharamaiah had earmarked hundred acres of land for the Film City Project at Immavu village coming under Varuna Assembly constituency, which was welcomed whole-heartedly by the people of Mysuru. But the present Deputy Chief Minister Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan recently issued a statement that the project will be shifted to Bengaluru, which has caused concern among the citizens of Mysuru, he said.

Maintaining that Mysuru being one of the most important tourist destinations in South India is the ideal place for setting up the Film City, Narayanagowda reiterated that the Film City project must not be shifted out of Mysuru for any reason. Regretting that most of the projects announced in the interest of tourism in Mysuru region are not reaching their logical end, he said that nearly five lakh people are dependent on tourism in Mysuru and the Government must ensure that tourism-centric projects are executed in time.

Stressing on the need for setting up further tourist attractions in Mysuru, Narayanagowda wanted the Government to take up the ropeway project at Chamundi Hill. Claiming that most of the tourist spots in North India boast of a similar facility, he said the Chamundi Hill ropeway project must be executed for further promotion of tourism here.

Referring to the Disneyland- like Project near KRS Dam  that was envisioned by the previous coalition Government, he bemoaned that it is unfortunate that this dream project has remained only on paper. He wanted the  Government to materialise this project, which is also aimed at providing jobs to hundreds of youths.

Association office-bearers Ravi Shastry, Subramanya Tantri and Raveendra Bhat were present at the press meet.