MCC to restore arch gates across Mysuru

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Mysuru: Keeping in view traffic density, which is on the increase by the day, the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) has decided to shift all heritage welcome arches across the city and add to their beauty.

The restoration work includes that of the old arch on the way to the prestigious Lalitha Mahal Palace when approached from the Kurubarahalli Circle on Mysore-Bannur Road.

A team of senior officials from the MCC led by Mayor Shivakumar and Prof NS Rangaraju, a member of the Heritage Committee, visited all heritage arches in the city to take stock of their prevailing condition.

While some were crying for attention, others were without maintenance and one of them was converted into a horse shed. The one arch on the Government Guest House was in bad condition with no maintenance.

The team also inspected the arches in front of the Maharani Girls’ College and also a watch tower at Veerenagere near the Mysore Central Prison. The arch near the Lalitha Mahal Palace was obstructing the movement of vehicles on Mysore-Bannur Road.

The vehicle users had complained about the accidents at that juncture due to the presence of the arch gate.

After the spot inspection, the mayor issued directions to the authorities concerned to shift the historic arch gate further to that side to ensure the easy flow of traffic.

During the days of maharajas, those arch gates were the entry points into the city and there were guards at those points.

Over the years, the arch gates lost their relevance and the authorities also lacked interest in the restoration of those pieces of heritage.

But now the MCC has made up for the restoration of all the arch gates and decided to prepare a detailed project report (DPR).

The mayor said in place of the arch gate in the premises of Maharani Women’s College, a statue of Kempananjammanni, a queen of the erstwhile Mysore Royal family, will be installed, and also converted as a selfie spot.

During the inspection, the mayor got the arch gate near the Government Guest House cleaned by asking the tongawaalas to take away their horses.