Experts stressed the importance of strategic planning to manage Mysuru’s rapid expansion and delved into the implications of unplanned development.
At a workshop on ‘Greater Mysuru: Issues and Challenges’ conducted by the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), the University of Mysore, here on Saturday, the discussions also centered around infrastructure constraints that were contributing to chaotic growth amidst unbridled urban sprawl.
The workshop was jointly organised by the Institute of Town Planners, India, Mysuru Regional Centre, and Karnataka Regional Chapter, Bengaluru.
M.C. Shashikumar, Additional Director of the Department of Town and Country Planning, highlighted the strain placed on Mysuru’s infrastructure due to urban growth and an exploding population.
He said essential services such as garbage management, underground drainage (UGD), and drinking water supply are under pressure, necessitating significant investments in urban infrastructure.
“Mysuru’s growth is inevitable, especially as Bengaluru’s congestion drives people to seek a better quality of life here,” he said, pointing out that improved connectivity has brought down the travel time between the two cities to as little as 90 minutes.
He, however, warned that unless planned expansion keeps pace with growth, Mysuru could face the same infrastructural bottlenecks as Bengaluru.
Urban expert S.B. Honnur, council member of Karnataka Regional Chapter of ITPI, noted that simply designating Mysuru as Greater Mysore would not bring automatic benefits. Instead, the city must actively integrate its rapidly growing suburban areas into a structured development framework.
“Many peripheral areas already display suburban characteristics. Instead of reactive urbanisation, we must plan to ensure balanced growth,” he added.
MUDA Commissioner Raghunandan emphasised that Mysuru is on the brink of a transformative phase, with its unofficial population nearing 1.5 million. He predicted exponential growth over the next five decades and stressed the need for robust infrastructure and improved commuting facilities.
“We must take lessons from Bengaluru and avoid its pitfalls. Mysuru has the opportunity to emerge as a model city with sustainable urban planning,” he said, underscoring the city’s potential to become a major global tourism hub.
M.K. Savitha, Registrar of the University of Mysore, traced Mysuru’s legacy of planned development back to its royal past. She said that while the city’s population was expanding, the land size remained fixed, necessitating optimal land use and planning.
Experts stressed that Mysuru has the potential to set a benchmark for planned urbanisation in India while preserving its heritage and enhancing its appeal as a global tourism destination.
Pramod M. Gawari, director of the SPA, Yashaswini S., assistant professor, Department of Architecture, SPA, students, bureaucrats, former town planners, and others were present.
Published - March 15, 2025 06:51 pm IST
