Unity Mall Works Halted in Mysuru Over Land Claim
Pramoda Devi Wadiyar claimed 6.5 acres in Kurubarahalli survey number 1 and Garikemala survey 1 are part of royal family’s hereditary property where Unity Mall has been proposed
BENGALURU: The construction works on the proposed Unity Mall on 6.5 acres in the sprawling 80-acres of Karnataka Exhibition Grounds in Mysuru city has been halted after the High Court of Karnataka, a fortnight back, ordered status quo on a petition filed by member of erstwhile Mysore royal family Pramoda Devi Wadiyar claims over the land. The High Court ordered the officials of Department of Industries and Commerce for status quo on Unity Mall construction on November 28.
In her petition, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar claimed 6.5 acres in Kurubarahalli survey number 1 and Garikemala survey 1 are part of royal family’s hereditary property where Unity Mall has been proposed. She pointed to earlier Court rulings which had recognized ownership of certain survey numbers in the same area (Karnataka Exhibition Authority) grounds in Mysuru city as property of the royal family.
However, Pramoda Devi’s son and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament representing Mysuru-Kodagu, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamraja Wadiyar had made spot inspection of the Unity Mall, a centrally-sponsored project in July this year and exuded confidence of the Unity Mall completion by 2027.
Out of 80-acres of KEA grounds in Mysuru city, the State Government transferred 6.5 acres for the proposed Unity Mall, modelled on the lines of Delhi’s ‘Dilli Haat,’ for a dedicated marketplace for handicrafts, sandalwood products, silk products geographical tagged products such as Mysuru Jasmine, Mysuru betel nut, Nanjangudu rasabale (banana), Mysuru Pak among others.
The project, worth Rs 193 crore, includes a wrestling pavilion, sky walk, 3D theatres among other facilities. The Union Government sanctioned construction of similar malls in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu as well to boost trade and commerce.
