Mysuru: Chief minister DK Shivakumar will decide on organising kambala during this year’s Mysuru Dasara celebrations, district in-charge minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah said Monday.The CM has also finalised the VIP who will inaugurate Dasara atop Chamundi Hills, he said.The proposal to organise kambala has sparked controversy, with environmental groups opposing the inclusion of the coastal folk sport in Mysuru’s traditional and cultural festival.Chairing a meeting of the Dasara Executive Committee at the zilla panchayath, Yathindra said 17 subcommittees have been formed to oversee preparations for Mysuru Dasara 2026. Discussions are still under way on including Kambala in this year’s celebrations. If approved, an 18th subcommittee will be constituted for it.The cycling velodrome at the foothills of Chamundi Hill has been inspected as a possible venue for Kambala. A final decision will be made after discussions with the chief minister.“Legislators have suggested several prominent names for inaugurating Dasara, but the chief minister will make the final call on whom to invite,” he said.Among the ongoing flyover, white-topping and national highway works in Mysuru city, officials have been instructed to immediately complete projects that can be finished before Dasara. Long-term projects that cannot be completed in time will be paused during the festival to ensure smooth movement for residents and tourists.Yathindra said this year’s drone show will be presented in a more innovative manner. If approval is granted by the central govt, an air show will also be organised.No gold passes for VIPsTo end confusion surrounding Dasara viewing ‘gold passes’, only passes matching the actual seating capacity will be printed. They will be issued only to members of the public who purchase them. It has been decided not to provide free gold passes to VIPs.
