Mysuru: Among the many sobriquets earned by Mysuru is the “City of Lights” due to the way illumination is done during Dasara and on special occasions and this is one of the main tourist attractions. Starting from the iconic Mysore Palace to streets and shops in the Central Business District, all Government buildings and arches are illuminated to reflect the land’s rich cultural heritage. This year, the Dasara Illumination Sub-Committee, which oversees the preparations of lighting arrangements, has decided to light up 35 kilometres around City Centre covering 23 Circles. It will cost over Rs. 2.34 crore for the 10-day illumination. Last year, the illumination was done up to 18 kilometres and the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Company (CESC) had faced flak for frequent power disruption on the illuminated streets, defeating the very purpose of illumination. Last year, illumination was done at a cost of Rs.1.71 crore. This year, however, CESC has taken all measures for tourists and the locals to enjoy the city that is soaked in light. Officials said that thanks to bountiful rains, all the reservoirs in Karnataka are full, facilitating power generation. “We have taken steps illuminate the circles, major roads and junctions with dazzling lightings up to 35 kilometres of area around the city. All major circles will be illuminated with models of Goddess Chamundeshwari and her different avatars, elephant carrying the Golden Howdah and erstwhile Wadiyars who have contributed to the development of Mysuru region,” CESC Executive Engineer H.N. Swamy told Star of Mysore. Major roads such as Albert Victor Road, Sayyaji Rao Road, Bengaluru-Mysuru Road, Nelson Mandela Road, Palace South Gate Road, Bengaluru-Nilgiri Road, parking space of Karnataka Exhibition Grounds, stretch atop Chamundi Hill, Chamundi Hill Road, Chamaraja Double Road, Basaveshwara Road, JLB Road, Krishnaraja Boulevard Road, Mahishasura Circle Junction to Dasoha Bhavan will be illuminated this year. Other than this, CESC has also taken steps to light up Chamundi Hill with red, green and blue-coloured bulbs. “We will illuminate Bannur Road, Columbia Asia Hospital, Nanjangud Road, Hinkal and KRS Outer Ring Road junctions. We are using energy-efficient LED bulbs as it saves a lot of power and at the same time, are bright and attractive,” he added. Trees will be illuminated without using any nails to fix wires and all the illumination arrangements will be completed by Oct. 5 to be ready for Oct. 10 when the Navaratri begins.
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