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.
MP HC sets up judicial commission to probe water contamination in Indore
Indore (PTI): The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday set up a commission of inquiry comprising a former HC judge to probe the issue of water contamination in city's Bhagirathpura, saying the matter requires probe by an independent, credible authority and "urgent judicial scrutiny".
It also directed the commission to submit an interim report after four weeks from the date of commencement of proceedings.
A division bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi constituted the commission while hearing several public interest litigations (PILs) filed simultaneously regarding the deaths of several people in Bhagirathpura due to the consumption of contaminated water.
The HC reserved the order after hearing all the parties during the day, and released it late at night.
The state government on Tuesday told the HC that the deaths of 16 people in Indore's Bhagirathpura area was possibly linked to a month-long outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The government presented an audit report of 23 deaths from the current gastroenteritis epidemic in Bhagirathpura before the bench, suggesting that 16 of these fatalities may have been linked to the outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The report, prepared by a committee of five experts from the city's Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, stated that the deaths of four people in Bhagirathpura were unrelated to the outbreak, while no conclusion could be reached regarding the cause of death of three other people in the area.
During the hearing, the high court sought to know from the state government the scientific basis behind its report.
The division bench also expressed surprise at the state government's use of the term "verbal autopsy" in relation to the report, sarcastically stating that it had heard the term for the first time.
The HC expressed concern over the Bhagirathpura case, stating that the situation was "alarming," and noted that cases of people falling ill due to contaminated drinking water have also been reported in Mhow, near Indore.
In its order, the HC said the serious issue concerning contamination of the drinking water supply in Bhagirathpura area allegedly resulted in widespread health hazards to residents, including children and elderly persons.
According to the petitioners and media reports, death toll is about 30 till today, but the report depicts only 16 without any basis or record, it said.
It is averred that sewage mixing, leakage in the pipeline, and failure of civic authorities to maintain potable water standards have led to the outbreak of water-borne diseases. Photographs, medical reports, and complaints submitted to the authorities prima facie indicate a matter requiring urgent judicial scrutiny, the HC said.
"Considering the gravity of the allegation and affecting the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and the need for an independent fact-finding exercise, the Court is of the opinion that the matter requires investigation by an independent, credible authority," it said.
"Accordingly, we appoint Justice Sushil Kumar Gupta, former judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, a one-man commission of inquiry into the issues relating to water contamination in Bhagirathpura, Indore, and its impact on other areas of the city," the HC added.
As per the order, the commission shall inquire into and submit a report on the cause of contamination -- whether the drinking water supplied to Bhagirathpura was contaminated; and the source and nature of contamination (sewage ingress, industrial discharge, pipeline damage etc).
The panel will also probe the number of actual deaths of affected residents on account of contaminated water; find out the nature of disease reported and adequacy of medical response and preventive measures; suggest immediate steps required to ensure safe drinking water as well as long-term infrastructural and monitoring reforms.
It will also identify and fix responsibility upon the officers and officials found prima facie responsible for the Bhagirathpura water contamination incident, and suggest guidelines for compensation to affected residents, particularly vulnerable sections.
The commission shall have powers of a civil court for the purpose of summoning officials and witnesses; calling up records from the government department, hospitals, laboratories and civic bodies; ordering water quality testing through accredited laboratories; conducting spot inspections.
All state authorities involving district administration, Indore Municipal Corporation, public health engineering department and Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board shall extend full co-operation and provide records as sought by the commission, it said.
The state government shall provide office space, staff, and logistical support to the commission, it said.
During the hearing in the day, the state government also presented a status report to the court in this matter.
According to reports, a total of 454 patients were admitted to local hospitals during the vomiting and diarrhea outbreak, of whom 441 have been discharged after treatment, and 11 are currently hospitalised.
According to officials, due to a leak in the municipal drinking water pipeline in Bhagirathpura, sewage from a toilet was also mixed in the water.
