Mysore/Mysuru: The historic Elgin Fountain Circle, situated at the junction of Mysuru-Bengaluru Road and Ashoka Road, recently underwent a renovation and beautification project at a cost of Rs. 20 lakh. NR MLA Tanveer Sait inaugurated the Circle on Oct. 12. Present at the ceremony were Ashaad-ur-Rahman-Shariff, the Commissioner of Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), as well as Mohammad Zubair, the CEO of Z Mark Land Developers and other dignitaries.

MCC has issued a work order to Z Mark to beautify and maintain the Fountain Circle for the next three years. The fountain was originally erected in honour of the visit of Lord Elgin, the Viceroy to Mysuru, on Nov. 20, 1895. This visit aimed to console the royal family following the loss of Maharaja Chamaraja Wadiyar on Dec. 28, 1895.

The Elgin Fountain is one of the oldest fountains in Mysuru and holds significant historical value. It was initially located at the current K.R. Circle and was named the Elgin Fountain. Later, it was relocated to the present Dhanvanthri Road Circle, where Dewan’s Road intersects, after the installation of the statue of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar at K.R. Circle.

From there, the fountain was once again moved to its current location on Bengaluru-Mysuru Road and was named ‘Rajendra Prasad Circle’ (commonly known as Fountain Circle) to commemorate the inaugural visit of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India. Previously, the MCC had plans to beautify the Fountain Circle, potentially compromising its historical heritage. However, the Heritage Conservation Committee, chaired by the Mysuru DC, rejected MCC’s proposal and recommended the preservation of the Circle for future generations.

Now, the Elgin Fountain has been revitalised through a Public-Private Partnership. Inaugurating the refurbished fountain, Tanveer Sait emphasised that Mysuru, renowned for its beauty, should aspire to enhance its parks, public spaces and circles.

In the near future, other Circles such as T.N. Narasimhamurthy Circle, Tipu Circle and Five-Light Circle will also undergo renovation and beautification under the Public-Private Partnership initiative, the MLA added.

Tanveer pointed out that many Circles and arterial roads in his Constituency are accident-prone and he intends to install traffic signal lights at key places for orderly traffic, to enhance safety and prevent accidents.

MCC Commissioner Ashaad- ur-Rahman-Shariff informed reporters that the civic body’s goal is to transform Mysuru into a city free of flex banners and single-use plastics. This vision has been discussed with representatives from all political parties and will be implemented in collaboration with the public and local companies.