Mysuru: The Cauvery agitation will not cast its shadow on Dasara celebrations, and they will not be scaled down but the costs will be cut down and it will be celebrated meaningfully with water conservation and social messages as themes, Mysuru DC Mr D Randeep clarified Sunday.
“We are trying to cut costs from the proposed 14.25 crore to 11 crore. We are also trying to secure corporate sponsorship. We cannot afford to disappoint tourists who have already planned their trips based on our initial announcements. And Mysuru being a major tourism destination, this is the time for the tourism sector to flourish too. We are making all arrangements to ensure that their journey is smooth, safe and secure. We are also giving them maps on alternate routes to reach Mysuru through the Dasara website, and making necessary arrangements for transportation. There are discussions for operation of non scheduled flights. Also in order to attract more tourists, negotiations of rates for Heli-tourism for an aerial view of Mysuru city in helicopters are on. The package is likely to cost Rs 2,500 for students, those under 21 years of age and senior citizens, and Rs 3,000 for adults,” Mr Randeep said.
On the opposition to holding Yuva Dasara by a few writers, he said, “I have not received any such letter. The decisions are taken by the Dasara High power committee and executive committee. We are using Yuva Dasara as a platform to drive home the message to youth too,” he said. "We may have less tourists from Tamil Nadu but tourists from the other places will keep flowing in," Tourism Deputy Director, Mr Janardhan said.
The district administration has finalised the cost of one of the most attractive features of this Dasara, “Palaces on Wheels from September 27 to October 9 to ensure a royal experience for tourists. While the cost of a buffet lunch in Lalitmahal palace itself is Rs 1000, tourists to Dasara this year will have the privilege of seeing eight palaces.
Also KSTDC has offered royal routes in a package of Rs 4900 covering Cheluvamba Palace, Karanji Mansion, Jayalakshmi Vilas mansion, Lalitmahal Hotel, Jaganmohan Palace, Ambavilas Palace and KRS Palace hotel from October 1 to 10.
