Sir,

Sayyaji Rao Road — our historic Raja Marga and the pride of Mysuru’s Dasara procession — today presents a sorry sight. Broken tiles, neglected infrastructure and an unscientific pedestrian subway have turned this once-royal stretch into a zone of filth, stench and public inconvenience.

What should reflect Mysuru’s cultural grandeur now resembles a neglected back alley. The subway beneath the road is a glaring example of poor planning.

 Unlike Bengaluru’s Majestic area, this stretch sees minimal footfall. Most pedestrians cross safely at the surface level, yet the subway remains locked for most of the year. It may be noted that MCC Commissioner Shaikh Tanveer Asif admitted on 29.9.2025 that he was unaware that it was not in year-round use; in reality, it functions only about ten days annually during Dasara festival.

Left unused, the subway has become a hotspot for open defecation, garbage dumping and antisocial activity. Nearby businesses suffer as customers avoid the foul-smelling, unhygienic surroundings, punishing shopkeepers who invested their livelihoods here.

The MCC must act immediately — either demolish this redundant structure or redesign the area sensibly. Stop unhygienic practices, restore cleanliness and reclaim the dignity of Raja Marga.

– Anwar Baig, Sayyaji Rao Road, 3.1.2026

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