Tonga Experience Centre near Town Hall sparks heritage row in Mysuru

Controversy erupts in Mysuru over proposed tonga stand near Town Hall, sparking heritage preservation concerns.

The construction of a tonga stand near Town Hall here has sparked fresh controversy, with strong objections raised due to its location within the core heritage zone, just 100 metres from the Mysore palace.

The proposed tonga stand is set to come up on a footpath adjacent to the century-old Town Hall and just a few metres away from the prominent Chamaraja Circle. The foundation for the facility has already been laid as part of the Tonga Experience Centre project under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0.

This is the second time in recent months that a structure proposed near Balarama Gate of the palace has run into trouble. Earlier, a police information kiosk constructed in the same area was demolished following public outcry over the alleged violation of heritage norms around the palace precincts.

Historian N.S. Rangaraju, a former member of the heritage committee, said the tonga stand was being constructed in alleged violation of heritage norms as the committee had not approved the structure at the present location. “We had only given our consent for a pay-and-use counter for tonga rides at a different location near Albert Victor Road. We had not approved a structure adjacent to the Town Hall,” he said.

Two major tourism development projects in the city have received final approval under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme of the Ministry of Tourism, and are being implemented by Karnataka Tourism Infrastructure Limited.

The approved initiatives include an Ecological Experience Zone with a budget of ₹18.47 crore and a Tonga Ride Heritage Experience Zone with a budget of ₹2.71 crore. Mysuru and Hampi are among the 57 destinations identified under the scheme, which aims to promote sustainable and responsible tourism.