Mysuru: Days after PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Mysuru city to flag off the Humsafar express, the district administration has started working on plans of constructing an exclusive facility to house the VVIPs, mainly the President, Vice-President and the PM. The proposed facility, including a helipad is being planned at the Government Guest House where adequate space is available.
It may be recalled that with the iconic Hotel Lalitha Mahal Palace being booked for a wedding reception had no rooms to accomodate PM Modi and his entourage during his visit here where after the district administration had to book rooms at Radisson Blu. But here too they had to request nearly 20 guests to shift to other star hotels. These issues led Deputy Commissioner D Randeep to start work on a plan to construct an exclusive facility in the city to house the VVIPs without having to juggle through available resources. He has instructed PWD engineers to look at the possibility of constructing the facility at the 200-years-old Government Guest House premises, where ample vacant land is available. He has sought a comprehensive development plan which will be forwarded to the state government.
Speaking to Newskarnataka D Randeep said, “Before Modi’s visit to Mysuru, even President Ram Nath Kovind had expressed desire to stay in the city, but due to lack of facility he cancelled his visit and opted to stay put at Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru before he came down to Shravanabelagola. Also there was lot of confusion related to accommodation and logistics during the PM’s visit. This forced me to think seriously about having our own facility in order to attend to VVIPs”.
“We have lot of space at government guest house. The proposed building that is being planned will also look similar to the existing heritage building. After getting approval from heritage department, next to the existing building, on the lines of Bengaluru Kumar Krupa Annex, we can construct the heritage-looking structure with more rooms. There is a plan to have a helipad too. In such an instane the President, Vice President or Prime Minister can opt for a helicopter ride to government guest house, rather than travelling by road after arrival at airport. By compromising with garden space we can have this facility at government guest house. If it cost Rs 35 crore to Rs 40 crore we can bear it. We are unable to host VVIPs, but once the facility becomes a reality we can accommodate VVIPs. According to our plan we want to have five to six VVIP rooms, especially ones that can accommodate President, Vice President and Prime Minister. Apart from this we have also planned 60 to 70 rooms which include Category 1 and standard rooms that can accomodate any minister visiting Mysuru instead of putting them up at different places. The present rooms at Government guest house has got royal look and can host VVIPs, but it is not large in size” added D Randeep.
