Mysore city is very well known across the world for its magnificent architectural marvels and strong historic background. Commonly referred to as the ‘City of Places’, it is one of the most famous tourist places of India, attracting millions of tourists from across the world every year. The city also holds a strong cultural legacy, with the festival of Dussehra as an integral part of cities culture.
The Mysore palace holds a pivotal location in the city standing at the center of the city. The Palace is the focal point from where all the Arterial Roads start and extend out connecting other towns and cities.There are some traditional industries like weaving, sandalwood carving, bronze work and the production of lime and salt in the city. Recently, information technology industry has become a major employer in the city, and the city is now emerging as the second largest software exporter in the state of Karnataka.
Location and regional settingMysore city is located at 12.30°N and 76.65°E, at an average altitude of 770m above mean sea level. It is located at a distance of about 140km from Bangalore, the state capital. The city is well connected with adjoining states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala by road, rail and air. The city is also the divisional headquarter for southern railway.
The city’s growth in the recent years has been skewed towards southern Mysore i.e.the industrial areas located in Nanjangud.
Demographic profile
The population of Mysore city as per 2011 census is 9.95 lakhs. Its population density is 77 persons per hectare and density within the developed area is 97 PPH. The population has grown from 3.56 lakhs in 1971 to 9.95 lakhs in 2011. This is mainly because of increase in tourism; as with time Mysore has become an impotent part of tourism link in India. However, the growth in last two decades is due to the growth of IT and ITeS industry in the city. Table 13.2-1: Demographic Profile
| Mysore Fact Sheet |
| Jurisdiction Boundaries | | Mysore Municipal Corporation (MMC), Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) |
| MMC Area | | 128.42 Sq km |
| Population (MMC – 2011) | | 9.95 lakhs* |
| Decadal growth rate (2001-11) | | 26.62% |
| Population density (MMC-2011) | | 77 PPH |
| Local Planning Area, LPA (MUDA) | | 509.3 Sq.km |
| LPA population | | 1312662** |
| *Provisional census, 2011 ** Revised Master plan Mysore Nanjangud Local planning area |
Economy
Primarily, tourism industry contributes to the economy of the city. There is an inflow of about 25 lakhs tourists per year which includes around 95% domestic tourists and remaining international tourists.Manufacturing,industries like tyres industry (Vikrant Tyres), Textiles (K. R Mills, now Atlantic Mills),Electronic Systems (L&T), Bharath Earth Movers Ltd.(BEML), TVS, Silk Factory(KSIC) and information Technology (Infosys and Wipro)also contribute to the economy of the city. Articles made from silk, lacquer,and sandalwood are further more significant contributions towards commerce in Mysore.
In case of IT industry, Mysore city acts as a counter magnet city to Bangalore and the Government of Karnataka is promoting Mysore as an alternative city for IT industry. Thus the Information technology industry will subsequently play an important role in the economy of the city.
Apart from the above railways is the other employer in Mysore since it is the divisional headquarters of Mysore division.Existing urban transport scenario
Vehicular growthTotal number of registered vehicle increased from 6000 in 1970 to 3.5 Lakhs in 2008. As per the current figure,share of two wheelers is 80% of total registered vehicles, whereas that of four wheelers is 9.5 %. Thus the total share of private vehicle is 90.5%
Table 13.4-1 Vehicle growth rate 1970-2008 (in Thousands)
| Vehicles | ‘70 | ‘76 | ‘81 | ‘86 | ‘89 | ‘96 | ‘03 | ‘07 | ‘08 |
| 4 Wheelers | 2.1 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 4.8 | 5.7 | 11.3 | 26.1 | 35.5 | 38 |
| 2 Wheelers | 2.6 | 8.2 | 18 | 45.1 | 68.1 | 128.3 | 223.3 | 290.2 | 320.8 |
| Truck | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 3.7 | 5.1 | 6.2 | 6.8 |
| Bus/Minibus | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1 | 1.3 | 1 | 3.6 | 4.8 | 5.2 |
| Auto | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12.2 | 14.8 | 16.2 |
| Others | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.9 | 8.96 | 9.2 |
| | 6.1 | 12.9 | 23.4 | 53 | 77.4 | 144.3 | 277.2 | 360.46 | 396.2 |
Source:Comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Plan – Mysore, Karnataka, India
Road network
The total length of road network in the city is 1182 Kms;of this about 90% has concrete/bitumen pavement. The city has Radial pattern of road network with the arterials originating from the centre of the city with Palace as a focal point connecting to outer areas. The outer ring road acts as a bypass and caters to the freight traffic. Map 13-1 Road network - Ring & Radials in Mysore
Public transport systems
Mysore city has bus based public transport system, provided by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation(KSRTC). KSRTC is a state owned road transport company in Karnataka, which was set up in 1961 under the provision of Road Transport Act,1950. In Mysore, it provides three types of services:1. City services –Operated within city limits and within the radius of 15 km.
2. Sub-urban –Provides connectivity to the nearby villages, within 20-25 km radius outside city area.
3. Ordinary services –Connect the city with Taluka head quarters which are within 50 kms from the city
The bus route network consists of 136 routes with an average trip length of 14.5 km. These routes operate on the radials, originating from various parts of the city and terminate at the city bus terminal located in the centre of the city. Thus, for any changeover, people are forced to come to city bus stand as all the routes terminate at city centre. This also leads to the congestion of the city centre area.
Map13-2: KSRTC Network & Bus stops
Intermediate public transport modesAutorickshaws and taxis are the major IPT systems available in the city. Taxis are hired for long distance travel, to the tourist spots in and around the city, while, autorickshaws are hired for short distance travel within the city, for local transport. They contribute to about 12 % of the trips.
Travel characteristics
As per household surveys under, Comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Plan, 2012, volume II,out of the total trips, work trips account for 58% share followed by education trips 31%.Other trips like social,shopping, religion based trips account for 8% of the total trips. 45% of work trips and 42% of education trips are performed within 5 km distance. The average trip length observed is 7.43 km. | Mode | Share |
| Two wheelers | 30% |
| Car trips | 7% |
| Public transport | 18% |
| NMV( 23% by walk and 10% by cycle) | 33% |
| IPT | 12% |