What is your take on Makkaji Chowk Development?

Date: Dec 1, 2005

What is your take on Makkaji Chowk Development?

Date: Dec 1, 2005

That spirited note of yours, Suresh, ought to set some of us thinking; about what this fuss is all about. The proposed commercial complex, says ‘The Hindu’ (Dec.2, 2005), will have 155 shops, a multiplex, entertainment zone, food court, and basement parking lot to hold 650 vehicles. An earlier report, in April last, spoke of a complex with 800 shops and 1000-vehicle parking space. Can we rule out further squeeze on the much-needed car-park space by the time the project gets moving?

It was also reported that Makkaji Chowk project had been under consideration for the last 40 years. Has anyone spared a thought for the revenue loss during this period? Our concerned citizens would do well to think of this before moving the court. Incidentally, it was litigation that had held up the project for decades. And fresh litigation ‘in public interest’ would set us back by years.

Still on ‘thinking’ mode ( are you reading, Mr Yerapathi ?), it occurred to me that public interest would be better served if we, as concerned citizens, find ways to further projects, rather than to hold them up. Nit-picking is needed, but shouldn’t become our full-time preoccupation. Anyone can get into a ‘protest’ mode, notably, the ones that have no responsibility for implementing schemes.

Thought – 3: It is nobody’s case that our public interest watch-dog agencies should put up with corruption and shoddy implementation. However, in many cases, public interest is better served by co-operating with project enforcement agencies; and, more significantly, encouraging them on occasions. Can anyone think of the last occasion when our activist groups patted the police/municipal commissioner for a good work done?

Thought – 4: Those concerned with traffic de-congestion issue could consider Mr Bapu Satyanarayana’s suggestion for creating a vehicle-free zone on Sayyaji Rao Rd., and developing it into a pedestrian plaza in front of a renovated Devaraja Market.

Thought – 5: Wouldn’t we want our ‘informed’ citizens focusing their concern on long pending issues such as Mysore-Bangalore rail double track, the four-lane highway and lobbying for IISc campus in Mysore ?

Date: Dec 2, 2005

Mr. Krishnan, there are thousand and odd things that we as concerned citizens of Mysore City can do, and not to mention there are a few people doing their bit for betterment of the society.

The concerned citizens should be calling themselves as a reformer or as an volunteer but not as an activist.. Once you get on the attitude of being an activist, you normally get on to the protesting mode!! yeah if you start working towards a solution to a problem then you will be a reformer.. I think its all in the thought process & attitude!!

Personally I would want Mysore City to match Bangalore's City growth.. but not like hapazard growth but a systematic, scientific & economic growth..

A few things that I would always want to do in Mysore City, which I can accomplish is that a good english movie, or buy a good novel to read, eat thai food, etc.,

One literally has to search or visit Bangalore to accomplish the above. coming back to topic of Makaji Chowk area, and the company which has been awarded the tender, they are into the same business of setting shopping malls and other leisure activities. Give them an opportunity and they are not foolish to come and invest huge money on this project.