Tonga Experience Centre near Town Hall sparks heritage row in Mysuru

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.

Reviving culture?

The Tonga Ride Heritage Experience Zone is intended to revive Mysuru’s traditional tonga culture. The city once had hundreds of tongas, but only about 50 tongas and 20 sarots remain today due to declining patronage. The famed Shah Pasand tongas now largely gain attention during the annual Mysuru Dasara, when tourists take heritage rides to relive the city’s royal past.

Prof. Rangaraju said he would take up the issue with the Deputy Commissioner and the Commissioner of the Mysuru City Corporation, opposing the construction at the present site.

Though there were reports that the civic body had halted the work following criticism, Prof. Rangaraju, who visited the spot, said the work was still continuing with workers carrying out water curing for the concrete structure.