Heritage city Mysuru gears up to welcome New Year with full occupancy, tight security
Mysuru: The heritage city of Mysuru is set to ring in the New Year with large-scale celebrations, as hotels, resorts and clubs across the city report full occupancy amid a surge in tourist arrivals.
According to a report published by Deccan Herald on Wednesday, star-category hotels, resorts and clubs in and around Mysuru have lined up special New Year’s Eve events featuring music, dance, food and entertainment. Organisers have introduced packages ranging from ₹499 to ₹5,999, catering to couples, families and groups.
According to Mysore Hotel Owners' Association President C Narayangowda said, "All 10,500 rooms in twenty-five-star category hotels and 400 hotels and lodges, are 100 per cent occupied from December 24. They are booked till January 2." Resorts around Kabini backwaters and the Bandipur Tiger Reserve have also reported 100% occupancy.
Several hotels and resorts have planned curated buffet menus, live music programmes, DJ nights and cultural performances, while clubs such as the Cosmopolitan Club, Heritage Club, Sports Club and Golf Club have organised countdown events to welcome the New Year.
They are spending the vacation by visiting Chamundi Hill, Palace, Zoo, Dasara Exhibition, among other attractions. Many people have even booked tickets in advance to attend these events on Wednesday night.
Former Vice President of Karnataka Tourism Forum M Ravi said, "In order to compensate for the Safari ban in Bandipur and Kabini backwaters belt, resorts are offering several attractive events, activities and services like spa. They are even taking people on Safaris to Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Wayanad region in Kerala."
Meanwhile, businesses such as cloud kitchens, bakeries and sweet shops have reported a rise in advance bookings for New Year celebrations, especially for bulk orders.
In wake of the blast of a cylinder used to fill balloons on Jayamarthanda gate of Mysuru Palace last week, Mysuru Palace board has taken all necessary precautions along with Police to host new year celebrations at Palace premises on December 31.
There will be a Karnataka and English police band concert between 11 pm to 12 am and fireworks from 12am to 12.15am at the backdrop of illuminated Mysuru Palace, said Palace Board Deputy Director, T S Subramanya.
Mysuru City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar reportedly said security has been strengthened across the city to ensure peaceful celebrations. Police have issued guidelines for hoteliers and the public, and additional personnel have been deployed at key locations.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
BJP forms 'fact finding committee' over Bengaluru eviction
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra on Wednesday constituted a "fact finding committee" to look into the demolition of illegally constructed houses as part of a drive to clear encroachment of government land, and to submit a detailed report.
The demolition drive has escalated into a major political row, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and politicians from that state too wading into the issue.
The BJP has been critical of the government's decision to rehabilitate "genuine" homeless among those, whose illegally constructed houses were demolished, terming the move as "appeasement politics".
The seven member committee consists of BJP legislators and leaders, including MLAs S R Vishwanath and S Muniraju.
The "fact finding committee" has been constituted to find the facts behind the demolition of houses in Fakir Colony and Wasim Layout near Kogilu in Yelahanka in the northern part of the city, Vijayendra said in a statement.
The committee has been directed to visit the spot, inquire and submit a detailed report in a week's time.
The demolition drive on December 20 was carried out by Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited to clear encroachments for a proposed solid waste processing unit, officials have said claiming that the houses were constructed without any official permission. Most of the occupants were migrants from other states.
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka on Wednesday accused the Congress government of creating 'mini Bangladesh' in the state due to its alleged appeasement politics, as he hit out at the administration over its decision to allot houses to those, whose unauthorised houses were demolished.
He said the government by doing so was encouraging large-scale encroachment and illegal settlements.
BJP leaders have accused the state government of indulging in "Muslim appeasement politics", as most of the demolished illegal houses, reportedly belonged to members from the community. They have also questioned the swiftness with which the government moved to rehabilitate those, who had indulged in illegal encroachment.
They pointed out that the rehabilitation announcement from the government came after the demolition of 167 illegal houses or sheds triggered a political row, after Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan termed the razing of houses as "brutal normalisation of the bulldozer raj".
Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal, who is also from Kerala, had immediately intervened after's Vijayan's statement, and had conveyed the AICC's serious concern to CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, stating that such actions (demolition) should have been undertaken with far greater caution, sensitivity, and compassion, keeping the human impact at the centre.
