Mysuru: The new BJP government is likely to drop the controversial Disneyland project at Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam initiated by the previous Coalition Government.
A high-level meeting will be held in Bengaluru under the chairmanship of Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Limited (CNNL) Managing Director H.L. Prasanna Kumar at his office tomorrow morning to decide the fate of the project. It may be mentioned here that the present CM B.S. Yediyurappa had opposed the project when he was the leader of the Opposition and had called it a waste of money and was against the interests of thousands of farmers.
The CNNL is the implementing agency of the Disneyland project worth more than Rs. 2,000 crore. The project was initiated by the then Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Tourism Minister S.R. Mahesh and was strongly supported by Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar. They argued that the project would create employment to at least 40,000 people in Mandya and Mysuru districts.
The Disneyland project was included in the last Budget and had proposed constructing a giant 120-metre statue of Goddess Cauvery, a Tower Point that is taller than the KRS Dam, Krishnaraja Wadiyar Rotary, Toll Plaza, Entry Plaza, Grand Street, Gandaberunda statue and a host of attractions, making it a “Must Visit Tourist Destination in India.”
The project was to come up in 86 acre area out of the 400 acres of Government land available in and around the land.
The project, however was opposed by farmers and Green activists and also faced a hurdle from Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) that has already declared Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary near Srirangapatna and its surrounding areas as Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
As per the MoEFCC guidelines, no new construction of hotels and resorts will be allowed within one kilometre radius of the bird sanctuary’s boundary or up to the extent of the ESZ. Any expansion of existing tourist facilities including resorts within the ESZ shall be in accordance with the Central guidelines. The MoEFCC would not give clearance to the project, argued environmentalists.
This apart, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, who was the Opposition leader when the Coalition Government was in power, had vehemently opposed the Disneyland project. Yediyurappa had asked Minister D.K. Shivakumar in the Assembly, “What is your priority? Constructing a statue of Cauvery and creating a Disney land-like park at KRS or completing long-pending project like Alamatti?”
SCRAP THIS NONSENSE PROJECT ASAP AND SAVE KRS & MYSORE!
So the loot project conceived by gowda and family is scrapped for now?
I was really pleased to read that the new government had decided to drop this project. It would be useful to reproduce a press note by some Mysoreans opposing the project which was sent to the press in the Jan of this year.
KRS- Any development should reflect culture, tradition and values of Karnataka.
The iconic Brindavan garden, the once pride of Mysuru lies in a state of neglect. This is both due to lack of imagination and the low priority given to it by people in power. There is an urgent need to undertake measures to restore its past glory. Besides being an important symbol of Karnataka’s identity, it also has enormous commercial potential to generate wealth for the state and create job opportunities for the local population. The initiatives by the present govt to start a discussion towards this is both timely and more than welcome. It is also natural and useful to offer different ideas by well meaning people to enhance the beauty of the place to make Brindavan even more attractive.
One of the suggestions put forth is to develop area around KRS on the lines of ‘Disney Land’ in the United States. It is no doubt an iconic symbol reflecting the ingenuity, values and the history of the people of that country. Is it right or even appropriate to copy it when we have our own much celebrated culture, history and tradition ?
A group of concerned citizens of Mysuru met recently to to discuss options and suggest ideas to go forward. Members cited many examples such as Hasta Shilpa Heritage village in Manipal, Aksharadham in Delhi. Many similar sites outside the country such as Taman Mini Indonesia Indah – a miniature park which is a culture based recreational area in Jakarta or Madurodam in Holland, all reflect the heritage of their respective countries.
On similar lines, it is proposed that miniature models of historic monuments of Karnataka (ex: Hampi, Badami, Pattadakallu, Ihole, Belur-Halebeedu, Golgumbaz, Shravanabelagola, etc) be displayed in the proposed site. Attempts can also be made to highlight the Karnataka’s diversity in wildlife (game/bird sanctuaries), rivers, beaches, forests, food, people, and lifestyle. Some important historic events can also be highlighted.
The members were unanimous in their decision that a contest be held to invite ideas by experts from across the country and to select the best scheme and design. The scheme proposed should also enhance tourism industry, generate job opportunities for the locals and most importantly, utmost care should be taken to develop the various islands and forests along the river Cauvery. Top priority should be given to maintain or enhance the ecology of the place.
The members further felt that there are over 200 listed heritage structures in Mysuru city which lie in a dilapidated condition. These have to be restored in order to safeguard its identity. These structures have the potential to attract tourists from across the world.
It is true that the government by having the proposed “Disney Land” project implemented on a public private partnership basis is not spending any money. However government is allocating precious land to the private party. Let us learn from a similar proposed project of handing over precious land in People’s Park (thankfully it was dropped after the public protest) to build a library.
The members were mindful of the protests by workers involved in mining and farmers. The suggestions made by the group will help create jobs for workers while not harming the interests of the farmers.
The members present strongly urged the government not to rush into implementing any scheme that is foreign and take into consideration the sensitivities of Kannadigas.
U B Acharya, Petroleum Expert
Gundappa Gowda, Former Corporator
Made Gowda, Former MLC
B. R. Pai, Industrialist
Ashvini Ranjan, Industrialist
Narendra Shah, Industrialist
Bhamy V. Shenoy, Energy Expert
S. Shobana, Educationist
Shivendra, Journalist
Nanjapur Yaduraju, Agricultural Scientist
Usha Yaduraju, Social Activist
They will not scrap it. How else they can make money? Gowda family proposed, BJP will complete it. Whatever money making scheme, they will not scrap. They only scrap the projects which of no use for BJP. Even Indira canteens are not scrapped, but renamed because there is money.