By Bhamy V. Shenoy

We are no longer shocked by the flooding of several areas of Bengaluru every time it rains. The reason is also not surprising — Illegal encroachments of Rajakaluves and lakebeds by real estate development have narrowed the natural water channels, causing these floods.

We in Mysuru are marching towards a similar disaster. We have already started to suffer minor flooding in certain areas when there is incessant rain. This is likely to get worse.

In 2012, the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) came up with ‘Mysuru Master Plan 2031.’ The MUDA made this plan more of a formality to comply with the Town Planning Act, which stipulates that an urban planning body must have a master plan. So not much thought was put into it, looks like. Here is why.

The Mysuru Master Plan 2031 had classified land use as residential, commercial and public utility. Then it adds, land use for forest (1.04 percent), water bodies (2.61 percent), agriculture (1.27 percent), parks, playgrounds and open spaces (5.51 percent), etc. Last 4 categories, which are environmentally sensitive, are just 14.19 percent of the overall land use. Even this inadequate amount is under attack in the name of development, ignoring the plan. This is not only ignorant and visionless but also illegal.

Good projects,  wrong place

In recent months, there have been three major projects important for the development of Mysuru as a tourist centre. They are a new KSRTC bus stand at Bannimantap, an International

Cricket Stadium at Huyilalu and a modern Sports Complex (Velodrome) at Sathagalli.

None of these projects were in the Master Plan, but that’s okay. What is not okay is that all these projects are not in the right locations. They are all being constructed in locations that will have far-reaching negative impacts on our city.

Bus stand location wrong choice

There is no doubt we need a new bus stand as the present Sub-Urban Bus Stand is simply incapable of handling the traffic (ignored in Master Plan 2031) and we need an urgent solution. But is Bannimantap a solution? NO.

Just moving the bus stand to Bannimantap because there is land available is not the right way to solve the problem. It will only create more traffic problems as it’s on the Dasara procession route and next to Torchlight Parade Grounds.

It will also be next to the sheep market which goes on for one month every year. The traffic jam and chaos will be worse than what it is now.

Once bad, now it’s a good location!

It is certainly good to have an International Cricket Stadium and also a modern Sports Complex. But at what cost?

The original proposed site of Sathagalli for the Cricket Stadium was dropped because it had water bodies. How is it that, it is now suitable for a Sports Complex?

In the case of Cricket Stadium, the proposed site in Huyilalu is marked as a Green Zone in the Master Plan and also close to water bodies — the same problem it had faced in Sathagalli. So, what was the point of relocating if you’re causing the same environmental damage?!

It is important that Mysureans realise that it is from the Huyilalu area that the all-important Dewan Poornaiah Canal, which feeds Kukkarahalli Lake, originates. In fact, Huyilalu valley is the greenest spot in the Mysuru region, so why build an International Stadium there?

Why didn’t the authorities consider the easily available area of Kadakola, which has no such problems? Which Government bodies or elected representatives are concerned with raising inconvenient questions? None so far.

In case of elected representatives, MP Yaduveer Wadiyar who has larger constituency, unlike MLAs can play a critical role to preserve the old charm of Mysuru. It is our expectation that once Yaduveer is informed of the facts behind the sites chosen for projects, he will opt for an alternative site.

Act before it is too late

Yes, we need a new bus stand. Yes, we need an International Cricket Stadium. And yes, it’s good for a city to have a Sports Complex. But they should not be built in areas that absorb rainwater, preventing floods in the city and areas that have crucial urban forests. That is what is happening now.

We need a vision document, like the one discussed last November when District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa organised a meeting about this issue. Unfortunately, there has been no follow-up after that meeting.

It would be wise for us to wait till a new vision document is prepared to take a final decision about constructing these massive, gargantuan structures that will change how our city grows, moves and even breathes in the future. If these colossal structures are built in the wrong place, like they are now, Mysuru will end up like Bengaluru, flooding every monsoon, and it will be too late.

If Mysuru’s politicians don’t act, then Mysureans must.