MCC Plans Round-the-Clock CCTV Surveillance for Royal Statues

By Shyam Sundar Vattam

Mysuru:

The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), custodians of the three statues of the erstwhile rulers of the Mysuru Kingdom, is planning to install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to provide round-the-clock security to these heritage structures.

The move comes in the wake of a recent incident where a person climbed the statue of Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, located in the Central Business District, and placed his foot on the shoulders of the revered king. Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, who dedicated his life to the welfare of the people, is hailed as the architect of modern Mysuru State, credited with initiating major infrastructure projects such as the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam and establishing institutions like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru, as well as numerous educational institutions in Mysuru. His rule is considered the golden era in the history of the Mysuru Kingdom.

The act of desecration sparked outrage among the citizens of Mysuru, who staged protests and demanded better protection for all three statues, located near the majestic Mysuru Palace. Protesters urged the MCC to either increase the height of the iron railings to deter miscreants or to encase the statues in glass to prevent vandalism. Additionally, they demanded the deployment of private security guards to safeguard the statues day and night.

Responding to these concerns, MCC Commissioner Shaikh Tanveer Asif told City Highlights that raising the height of the railings would diminish the aesthetic appeal of the marble statues. Similarly, encasing them in glass would also affect their visual charm and lead to dust accumulation.

Considering these factors, the MCC is contemplating installing CCTV cameras focused on all three statues from multiple angles. The camera feeds will be connected to the MCC’s central control room, which operates 24/7. In addition, private security guards will be stationed near the statues to monitor and deter miscreants who may attempt to climb the pedestals or engage in other undesirable activities.

The MCC has also taken up the responsibility of regularly cleaning the statues with clean water to preserve their appearance and longevity.

In many Western countries, statues are left open for public admiration of their sculptural beauty. However, given the local context and concerns over vandalism, the MCC has installed modest iron railings to enable tourists to appreciate the statues from a safe distance.

Commissioner Asif stated that the proposal for CCTV surveillance will be discussed with the district in-charge ministers, elected representatives, and other stakeholders before final approval. Once cleared, installation of the CCTV system will begin at the earliest.