[sustran] Plans to restrict movement of motorized vehicles in core of Mysore

[Vinay Baindur]

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-09/mysore/33118377_1_mysore-palace-tongas-sayyaji-rao-road


Plans to restrict movement of
motorized vehicles in core of
Mysore
Lawrence Milton, TNN Aug 9, 2012, 10.30PM IST
Tags:

   - Taj Mahal <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Taj-Mahal>|
   - Sudharkar Shetty<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Sudharkar-Shetty>
   |
   - Mysore Chamber of
Commerce<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Mysore-Chamber-of-Commerce>
   |
   - MCCI <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/MCCI>|
   - Deputy commissioner<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Deputy-commissioner>

MYSORE: If everything goes according to plan, movement of motorized
vehicles in the heritage core area - surrounding Mysore Palace and a
segment of Sayyaji Rao Road -- will be restricted during weekends. This
means a welcome fillip to non-motorized vehicles like bicycle, battery
vehicles and tongas.

Now that the bicycle promotion is in full swing after deputy commissioner P
S Vastrad initiated pedal-to- work campaign, the DC is planning to restrict
movement of motorized vehicles on Sayyaji Rao Road for at least two hours
during weekends on an experimental basis. But the Mysore Chamber of
Commerce and Industry and Sayyaji Rao Road shopowners and tenants
association members are opposing it.
A police officer felt that the idea would work in the long run. Traffic has
increased by leaps and bounds over the years in the core area of Mysore
city and definitely there is urgent need to address the issue. As there is
not much scope to widen the stretch, it is better to promote non-motorized
vehicles and mass transportation.

Vastrad told TOI that recently he held a meeting with the traders. As some
of them were against the proposed idea, I have given them time to
reconsider the decision. The proposed idea is feasible in the long run and
we want to try it,'' he explained.

The DC is expected to meet the traders again next week.

Meanwhile, Mysore Sayyaji Rao Road shopowners and tenants association
members have resolved to oppose the proposed move claiming there is no air
or sound pollution as also no congestion in the core area. They have
appealed to the DC to reconsider his decision saying that it would
inconvenience them.

When contacted, MCCI president Sudharkar Shetty said: The idea is not
feasible as Sayyaji Rao Road is a main thoroughfare in the central business
district.''

After a study revealed that the country's famous monument Taj
Mahal<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Taj-Mahal> is
facing a threat from pollution, central government recommended to the
states to protect monuments. Following this, the directorate of urban land
transport, Karnataka, suggested promotion of non-motorized vehicles in the
core area surrounding Mysore Palace and old monuments to protect the sites,
reduce pollution as well as to reduce congestion.

There were also plans to relocate the city bus stand adjoining the charming
Mysore Palace structure to ensure structural stability of the palace and
make way for a garden and to provide parking for non-motorized vehicles
like tongas there. But meanwhile KSRTC authorities had got cleared a
project to upgrade the bus stand under JNNURM. Hence, the proposed idea has
been suspended temporarily.