J.L.Nagaraj Urs, Member, Mysore Grahakara Parishat, writes
It is reported in the media that a massive sum has been given under the JNNURM scheme to build a new bus stand in Mysore City. How this money can be put to good use is being discussed in the papers. But when one sees statements issued by responsible officials, serious doubts arise whether the money will be well-spent.
Based on grounds of cleanliness, beauty and safety, earlier administrators with great foresight had taken steps to ensure that no buildings came up within 50-75 m of the Mysore Palace. As years rolled by, this foresight was forgotten and buildings started cropping up one by one in this area, destroying cleanliness, beauty and safety. The present bus stand is one such building. It would be good to remove it.
There is a serious case pending before the High Court about the Palace property, including this land. When there is a non-trivial case pending before the courts, it is not a sign of wisdom to continue having a bus stand there or rebuild it there.
Also the Mysore Palace has been declared a heritage monument and it is doubtful if building a new bus stand here is legally permitted. It may be remembered that to celebrate the centenary of Banumaiah Educational Institutions a few years ago, a magnificent building was proposed on their land just to the west of the Palace, but MCC refused permission citing heritage protection.
Transferring the bus stand to People's Park is also problematic. When MCC proposed to build a Public Library in People' Park a few years ago, Mysore Grahakara Parishat filed a writ petition before the High Court citing the law which prohibits any such construction in a land declared as park land. MCC withdrew its proposal and so the writ became infructuous. But is is still alive and in this situation, attempting to build another building in this area is an open invitation to contempt of court. Again it is not a sign of wisdom.
Officials have said that public opinion will be collected on the best location for the bus stand. But the public surely lack the experience and farsightedness required for such a decision. In fact, such experience and farsightedness is most probably lacking even among MCC officials. Identifying questions such as how much will Mysore grow in the next 40-50 years, what will be the requirements at that time, what is the best way to fulfill those requirements, what are the the pros and cons of locating the bus stand in various places,etc. and coming to a good decision after analyzing them is a job which requires the vision and farsightedness of a Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar or M. Vishweshwariah. It can not be done by ordinary people.
In the debate on the bus stand, the concerned officials seem to have ignored some points. It is certain that traffic congestion will become unbearable if we have just one central bus stsnad for a city as big as Mysore. Therefore, instead of a single central bus stand, it may be better to have a few mini bus-stands in various localities, especially in the outer parts. The public will benefit from such a system and excessive traffic congestion will also be avoided.
It is reported in the media that a massive sum has been given under the JNNURM scheme to build a new bus stand in Mysore City. How this money can be put to good use is being discussed in the papers. But when one sees statements issued by responsible officials, serious doubts arise whether the money will be well-spent.
Based on grounds of cleanliness, beauty and safety, earlier administrators with great foresight had taken steps to ensure that no buildings came up within 50-75 m of the Mysore Palace. As years rolled by, this foresight was forgotten and buildings started cropping up one by one in this area, destroying cleanliness, beauty and safety. The present bus stand is one such building. It would be good to remove it.
There is a serious case pending before the High Court about the Palace property, including this land. When there is a non-trivial case pending before the courts, it is not a sign of wisdom to continue having a bus stand there or rebuild it there.
Also the Mysore Palace has been declared a heritage monument and it is doubtful if building a new bus stand here is legally permitted. It may be remembered that to celebrate the centenary of Banumaiah Educational Institutions a few years ago, a magnificent building was proposed on their land just to the west of the Palace, but MCC refused permission citing heritage protection.
Transferring the bus stand to People's Park is also problematic. When MCC proposed to build a Public Library in People' Park a few years ago, Mysore Grahakara Parishat filed a writ petition before the High Court citing the law which prohibits any such construction in a land declared as park land. MCC withdrew its proposal and so the writ became infructuous. But is is still alive and in this situation, attempting to build another building in this area is an open invitation to contempt of court. Again it is not a sign of wisdom.
Officials have said that public opinion will be collected on the best location for the bus stand. But the public surely lack the experience and farsightedness required for such a decision. In fact, such experience and farsightedness is most probably lacking even among MCC officials. Identifying questions such as how much will Mysore grow in the next 40-50 years, what will be the requirements at that time, what is the best way to fulfill those requirements, what are the the pros and cons of locating the bus stand in various places,etc. and coming to a good decision after analyzing them is a job which requires the vision and farsightedness of a Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar or M. Vishweshwariah. It can not be done by ordinary people.
In the debate on the bus stand, the concerned officials seem to have ignored some points. It is certain that traffic congestion will become unbearable if we have just one central bus stsnad for a city as big as Mysore. Therefore, instead of a single central bus stand, it may be better to have a few mini bus-stands in various localities, especially in the outer parts. The public will benefit from such a system and excessive traffic congestion will also be avoided.