Mysuru Citizens Coalition Demands Scientific Approach to City Expansion
A broad coalition of concerned citizens and civil society organizations has formally submitted a memorandum of objections regarding the proposed Greater Mysuru City Corporation (GMCC), urging the state government to withdraw the current notification and instead adopt a scientific and participatory planning process for the city's development.
Memorandum Submitted to Municipal Administration Department
The detailed memorandum was submitted in Bengaluru to the Department of Municipal Administration (DMA), which operates under the state's urban development department. The citizens' coalition, which operates under the banner "Greater Mysuru with Great Vision," represents a diverse alliance of environmental groups, farmers' collectives, professional associations, resident welfare bodies, and citizen forums from both Mysuru city and surrounding rural areas.
Development Concerns and Lack of Transparency
Dr Shushrutha Gowda, representing the coalition, clarified that the group is not opposed to development in principle but strongly objects to what they describe as unplanned and opaque expansion. "Cities must grow and infrastructure must improve," he stated. "But development without scientific data, proper planning, and democratic consultation is not progress; it leads to irreversible damage." He emphasized that the current GMCC proposal lacks both transparency and adequate groundwork.
Bhamy V Shenoy, founding president of Mysore Grahakara Parishad, raised significant environmental concerns, noting the absence of any publicly available environmental impact assessment for the proposed expansion. He warned that lakes, wetlands, green belts, and wildlife corridors would be severely affected if the project proceeded without proper safeguards in place.
Comprehensive List of Concerns
The memorandum outlines a comprehensive series of concerns regarding the GMCC proposal:
- Absence of gram sabha and ward committee consultations
- Lack of a detailed Master Plan for the expansion
- Unresolved issues related to water scarcity, sewage management, flooding, traffic congestion, and solid waste management
- Adverse impact on farmers and rural livelihoods
- Potential increases in taxes and utility charges for residents
- Threats to Chamundi Hills and other eco-sensitive zones
- Lack of climate and disaster preparedness measures
- Concerns that the project may be driven by speculative real estate interests rather than genuine public need
Impact on Rural Communities and Vulnerable Groups
Representatives of farmers' and community groups expressed particular concern about how rural communities would bear the brunt of the proposed expansion. They warned of potential distress land sales, loss of agricultural livelihoods, and widening rural–urban inequality as consequences of the current proposal.
Women's groups and citizen forums added that middle-class families, pensioners, and daily wage earners would likely be burdened by rising costs associated with the expansion. Sujatha S of Nimishamba Self Help Group and Dasarath of Namma Mysuru Foundation both emphasized that the proposal would disproportionately hurt rural communities who have not been adequately consulted.
Specific Demands from the Coalition
The coalition has presented several specific demands to address their concerns:
- Immediate withdrawal of the current GMCC notification
- Publication of a scientific Master Plan developed through proper consultation
- Comprehensive environmental and health impact assessments
- Statutory public hearings to ensure democratic participation
- Protection measures for farmers, lakes, and eco-sensitive zones
The coalition's memorandum represents a significant citizen-led initiative to ensure that urban development in Mysuru proceeds in a manner that balances growth with environmental protection, social equity, and democratic participation.
