Unsafe buildings, trees off-limits; No pandals, chairs on footpaths

Mysuru: The Mysuru City Police have barred the public from watching the Jumboo Savari from old, dilapidated and under-construction buildings along the Dasara procession route.

Every year, hundreds of people climb old structures, unfinished buildings and trees on either side of route from the Mysore Palace to the Bannimantap Torchlight Parade Grounds to get a better view of the procession. Police have now warned that such gatherings could lead to accidents.

Inspecting the procession route along with senior officers, Mysuru City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar directed the Police to prevent spectators from climbing buildings or trees. She also said private individuals and organisations would not be allowed to erect pandals or place chairs on footpaths to reserve space for select spectators.

With Dasara approaching, the Commissioner inspected the approximately 6-km route from the Palace to Bannimantap Parade Grounds, covering Chamaraja Wadiyar Circle, K.R. Circle, Sayyaji Rao Road, Old RMC, Bamboo Bazaar, Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Circle (Highway Circle) and Nelson Mandela Road.

“Strict vigilance is required to prevent people from climbing trees and buildings to watch the procession,” Latkar told Star of Mysore.

Notices to be issued

Notices will be served on building owners, lodge operators and hotel proprietors along the route, instructing them not to allow overcrowding. The Commissioner warned that cases would be registered against building owners if violations result in any accident.

Several old and dilapidated structures, including Lansdowne Building, buildings around K.R. Circle, Devaraja Market, structures near Panchamukhi Circle and Horse Stand, have been identified along the route. The owners of these buildings will be informed that public viewing of the Jumboo Savari from such unsafe structures will not be permitted.

There are more than 100 buildings and several trees along both sides of the procession route. The Police Department has prohibited people from climbing them as a precautionary measure.

No occupying footpaths

The Police have also tightened restrictions on individuals and groups attempting to occupy footpaths by erecting pandals or arranging chairs ahead of the procession. Only the Mysuru City Corporation and the District Administration are authorised to put up official structures.

Private organisations and individuals will not be allowed to create seating arrangements or block public viewing areas, the Commissioner said, adding that the measure was aimed at ensuring that all citizens get an opportunity to watch the procession.

DCPs Dr. Harsha Priyamvada (Law and Order) and K.S. Sundar Raj (Crime and Traffic), ACP K.T. Mathews Thomas, Narasimharaja Police Inspector Raju and Traffic Inspector Mahadevaswamy were present during the inspection.