The high-density commercial growth around Dattagalli-Ramakrishna Nagar in the city will be tempered by embellishing the urban space around the area with emphasis on greenery.
The Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) will take up the development of the open space at the Vishwa Manava road-Chaduranga road junction with parks, seating arrangements, music, fountains, high mast light, hanging lights etc.
Besides, the MUDA will also install a life-size statue of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa at the junction which will be named after the monk and has been developed on the lines of the landmark K.R. Circle in the city.
MUDA chairman, K.R. Mohan Kumar, told The Hindu that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and district in-charge Minister V. Srinivas Prasad were apprised of the near-completion of the circle following which they gave the go-ahead for statue installation.
“We will scout for a good sculptor and work on the statue installation will commence soon. It may cost around Rs. 15 lakh to Rs. 18 lakh,” said the MUDA chairman.
Though the area is modelled after K.R. Circle it will be devoid of high-density commercial activity, said Mr. Mohan Kumar. “There will be commercial complexes but the plan is to construct them in the corners after providing sample space in the foreground for landscaping, gardens, seating arrangements with music in the background,” said Mr. Mohan Kumar.
It will be an attempt to embellish urban space to make the area ideal for evening strolls and to relax outdoors. It will have seating arrangements, and will help local residents spend some time outdoors and there are plans to have pedestrian paths criss-crossing the lawn.
Incidentally, the stretch is popular among morning walkers given the wide vistas the area provides with a panoramic view of the Chamundi Hills in the east.
A similar endeavour near the Kuvempu statue on the same road near Basudev Somani College has proved to be extremely popular with the public.
The place was reclaimed by paving the footpaths with tiles, seating arrangements were provided, complete with adequate lighting while a stainless steel fence demarcates the road from the footpath.
Though the area was occupied by roadside eateries and vendors, they were shifted to the opposite side and the ambience in the area provides for leisure as also light commercial activity.
