The historical Bannimantap grounds, where the Jamboo Savari (Vijayadashami procession) culminates and the venue of the torchlight parade on the concluding day of Dasara festivities, which has a seating capacity of about 22,000, is all set for a makeover.
As the existing number of seats was inadequate to accommodate the spectators whose numbers were increasing each passing year, the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA), the caretaker of the property, has prepared an action plan to double the seating capacity. On an average, 40,000 to 50,000 people turn out to watch the torchlight parade, which marks the finale of the festivities. The spectators would have to stand outside or at one of the five gates to watch the parade. This has come in the way of crowd management.
The Dasara air show, which has not been held in last few years, used to be hosted on the ground.
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The MUDA, which spends about Rs. 35 lakh annually on preparing the ground for Dasara festivities, has come up with the plan of adding at least 20,000 additional seats in two phases before Dasara 2015. Speaking to The Hindu, MUDA Commissioner S. Palaiah said 10,000 seats would be added in the first phase and another 10,000 seats in the second phase. This will increase the seating capacity to 42,000.