Mysuru set to become ‘Ivory City’

The idea is to give a unique character to the city: Commissioner

Mysuru has many sobriquets such as the City of Palaces, and Heritage City. If everything goes as per the plan of the Mysore City Corporation (MCC), the city may get another sobriquet – Ivory City – on the lines of Jaipur, which is known as ‘Pink City’.

Mysuru is blessed with many impressive and awe-inspiring buildings which had been declared as ‘heritage’ properties. Several of these edifices, including those around the iconic Mysore palace and the office of the MCC, had been painted a uniform ‘ivory’ (off-white) colour.

MCC Commissioner C.G. Betsurmath told The Hindu that the idea is to ensure a uniform colour for the buildings – both public and private properties – to give a unique character to the city which attracts scores of domestic and international tourists.

Already, 70 percent of the government buildings and public offices in Mysuru have been painted in ivory colour and the remaining buildings can also be painted ivory to ensure uniform colour, he said. The owners of private properties in the core heritage zone here would be requested to paint their properties in ivory colour to match the buildings.

In reply to a question, the Commissioner said the proposal had been discussed at the council meeting of the MCC. He maintained that there was a “consensus” on the issue.

“A committee comprising heritage experts, planners and other experts will be constituted soon for suggesting ways and means of implementing the concept,” he said.

Asked whether a “colour policy” would be introduced for painting properties in Mysuru city, the Commissioner said, “The proposal is still in discussion stage. A formal approval has to come from the council and thereafter other steps will be discussed.”

Many sobriquets

*Mysuru is known as City of Palaces and Heritage City

*Several edifices, including those around Mysore palace and Mysore City Corporation office, have been painted a uniform off-white colour

*“A committee comprising heritage experts, planners and other experts will be constituted soon for suggesting ways and means of implementing the concept.” C.G. Betsurmath, MCC Commissioner