Tonga ride experience in Mysuru among tourismprojects approved by Union Minister

Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar has announced that two major tourism development projects in the city have received final approval under the Union Tourism Ministry’s Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.

The MP shared the update after meeting Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi on December 9. The approved projects — to be implemented by Karnataka Tourism Infrastructure Limited (KTIL) — include Ecological Experience Zone at a cost of ₹18.47 crore and Tonga Ride Heritage Experience Zone at a cost of ₹2.71 crore.

Mr. Wadiyar expressed happiness over the approvals and said these initiatives would significantly boost the tourism potential of Mysuru. He added that instructions had been issued to the Deputy Commissioner to finalise a date for the groundbreaking ceremony.

The Union Minister has assured full cooperation for the projects, the MP said, adding that efforts will continue to secure clearances for other pending tourism proposals related to Mysuru.

Swadesh Darshan 2.0 aims at promoting sustainable and responsible tourism, and Mysuru and Hampi are among the 57 destinations listed under the scheme, according to PIB.

The project aims to transform the ecological landscape around Mysuru Zoo, Karanji Lake, and the Regional Museum of Natural History (RMNH) by interlinking them.

Tonga Ride experience in Mysuru

The Tonga Ride Experience zone aims to revive Mysuru’s tonga culture. Mysuru once had hundreds of tongas, but only around 50 tongas and 20 sarots remain today due to lack of patronage. The famous Shah Pasand tongas gets importance only during Dasara, when tourists take heritage rides to relive Mysuru’s cultural past.