The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has taken up a slew of works to beautify the city, including repairing the main arterial roads, painting the walls and the medians, and sprucing up 23 major parks, ahead of Dasara.
MCC Commissioner K.H. Jagadeesh told The Hindu that bad stretches and damaged portions of roads were being relaid while all potholes were being identified and filled. “We have a directive from the district in-charge Minister to make the roads pothole-free,” he said.
The action plan is based on the work taken up in the run-up to Dasara last year, and the MCC has sought ₹27 crore from the State government. The works have been taken up in anticipation of the funds being released, the Commissioner said.
However, the main procession route from Mysuru palace to Bannimantap has already been paved with concrete, and only repair works that are absolutely necessary will be taken up. Walls of important public buildings are being repainted to remove graffiti. The medians along the major arterial roads are being given a fresh coat of paint, and ornamental plants are being planted.
As the city is expecting a huge turnout of visitors during the 10-day festival, which will be on from October 10 to 19, the focus is on cleanliness and maintaining hygiene. For this, the MCC will draft an additional 280 pourakarmikas, who will work in shifts. Cleaning machines will be used at night. “The pourakarmikas deployed on Dasara duty will be given special incentives,” Mr. Jagadeesh said.
The MCC plans to deploy nearly 100 mobile toilets, most of which will be in places where tourists and locals are likely to congregate. These include venues for entertainment and cultural programmes and places of tourist interest.
Indian Oil Corporation has agreed to gift two vehicles of 14 mobile toilets each while the MCC has about 70 such units. In addition to this, ample number of dustbins will be in place to ensure the city is largely clean.
The MCC has identified 23 major parks for beautification ahead of Dasara, and the Horticultural Department has been entrusted with the task. These parks will also be illuminated at night during the festival.