• Dasara Kambala plans shrouded in secrecy
• But trees felled, land levelled at Sathagalli

Mysuru: Has the State Government begun preparations to host Kambala during Dasara this year despite growing opposition to the event and concerns over environmental destruction at the proposed venue in Sathagalli, adjacent to the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) Regional Centre along the Outer Ring Road?

Opposition has also been growing against what activists describe as an attempt to introduce a coastal cultural event into the traditional Mysuru Dasara celebrations, a legacy associated with the Wadiyars of Mysuru.

Clandestine Kambala preparations

However, environmental activists and residents of the area have alleged that the official machinery is ‘playing hide and seek’ with the public by not disclosing the actual purpose of the land clearance. They suspect that preparations are being made clandestinely to host Kambala at the site.

The activists alleged that the Kambala event could involve expenditure of around Rs. 9 crore and accused the Government of ignoring public opposition and sentiments by pushing ahead with what they described as a commercial, money-making exercise.

A spot visit by Star of Mysore yesterday found that the land had been cleared of vegetation and levelled, while several felled trees had been burnt along with shrubs.

For Cycle Velodrome

Dismissing the claims about Kambala preparations, DYES Assistant Director BhaskarNayak said the land clearance was part of the preliminary process for constructing a cycle Velodrome and a multi-sports complex.

He said the District Administration had transferred the land to DYES for the purpose and that the department had sought permission from the Forest Department to clear trees on the entire 17.35-acre site.

“The sports infrastructure will come up on 17 acres and 35 guntas of Mysuru Development Authority (MDA) land spread across Survey Nos. 85, 88, 106 and 107 at Sathagalli. The designated site has already been handed over, and clearing operations, including the removal of thorny bushes and shrubs, have been completed to facilitate an initial land survey,” he said.

Following the survey, DYES will invite tenders for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR). The tender process for the actual construction of the Velodrome and sports complex will begin only after the DPR is finalised, he said.

“The site was cleared strictly of wild bushes in accordance with Government directions. We are awaiting instructions from the Forest Department regarding the 18 trees that have to be cut before proceeding further with the survey and DPR tenders,” he added.

Environmentalists have opposed the proposed felling of trees, while the Forest Department is yet to grant permission.